The early 1890s were an important period in the establishment of Léon Bakst’s cre¬ative personality. He became acquainted with Alexander Benois in March 1890, was introduced to the circle of artists that later constituted the nucleus of the World of Art, experienced the first tastes of success at the exhibitions of the Society of Russian Watercolourists and embarked on his first trip to Europe, visiting Germany, Belgium, France and Spain in summer 1891. The artist was influenced by classical European art. Bakst depicts himself trying on a beret and a smock, the traditional attire of the maes¬tro artist, symbolising his induction into the role of professional server of the muses

Bakst Léon

Bakst, Leon (Lev Samoilovich)
1866, Hrodno - 1924, Paris
Painter, graphic artist, theatrical designer. Studied at the Imperial Academy of Arts (1883-87) and the Atelier dc Jean Louis Gerome and Academic de Rodolphe Julian in Paris (1893-96). Taught at the Elizaveta Zwantseva School of Drawing and Painting in St Petersburg (1906-09). Member of the Society of Russian Waterecolourists (1891-1907), World of Art (1899-1903, 1906, 1913) and the Union of Russian Artists (1903-1910). Life member of the Salon d''''Automne (from 1906). Academician (1914). Contributed to many exhibitions of theatrical design and one-man shows. Designed sets and costumes for the Mariinsky Theatre and Alexandrinsky Theatre in St Petersburg, Paris Opera and theatres in London and New York. Leading designers of Sergei Diaghilev''''s Ballets Russes (from 1909) and the ballet companies of Anna Pavlova and Ida Rubinstein. Emigrated to Paris (1909).