Design for a Daybed, used by Ida Rubinstein during the Rehearsals for Cleopatra

Léon Bakst

1909 · Gouache, graphite, and gold paint · Drawings and Prints

This daybed was used as a prop in the Parisian production of Cleopatra. It premiered at Theatre du Châtelet in 1909 as part of the official opening season of the Ballets Russes in Paris. The production had been staged at the Maryinski Theater in Saint Petersburg the year prior, but the Russian inscription below the drawing identifies it as part of the Parisian décor. It explains that this daybed was used by Ida Rubinstein during rehearsals for the show, in which she was to make her début with the company.

Artist

Léon Bakst

Date

1909

Medium

Gouache, graphite, and gold paint

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Bequest of Sallie Blumenthal, 2015