Syrian dancer in ‘Cleopatre’
1909 - 1916
Léon Bakst was the visual mastermind behind the legendary Ballets Russes, and this costume design for the 1909 production of *Cléopâtre* shows exactly why. The Syrian Dancer is captured in a dynamic pose, wielding massive, rust-red drapes that look like giant butterfly wings, creating a dramatic, sweeping silhouette. Notice the handwritten dedication at the top right to a friend, André Saglio, dated 1909 in Paris. Bakst’s bold use of gold dots and peacock-eye patterns on the skirt was revolutionary, helping to launch a massive craze for 'Oriental' fashion and interior design in Europe that lasted for decades.
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