le dieu bleu bayadere with peacock 1912 Leon Bakst

Here we observe a full-length depiction of a female figure, rendered in watercolor and pencil on paper. The composition is dominated by vibrant color contrasts and intricate detailing characteristic of early modern artistic explorations. The woman stands facing forward, her posture suggesting both grace and an underlying tension. Her skin tone is depicted with a reddish-brown hue, contrasting sharply with the vivid blues and oranges that define her attire.
The costume itself appears to be inspired by Eastern aesthetics, specifically referencing dance traditions – the elaborate skirt, adorned with white and blue stripes, hints at movement and ritualistic performance. A heavy collar of pearls encircles her neck, drawing attention to her face, which is characterized by a direct gaze and an expression that seems to oscillate between serenity and melancholy.
A large peacock stands beside the woman, its plumage rendered in meticulous detail. The bird’s feathers cascade down, partially obscuring the lower portion of the skirt and creating a visual link between the human figure and the natural world. The peacocks presence introduces layers of symbolic meaning; it is often associated with royalty, beauty, and spiritual rebirth – themes that resonate with the exoticism prevalent in early 20th-century artistic circles.
The artist’s use of line work is noteworthy. Delicate pencil strokes define the contours of the figure and the peacocks feathers, while bolder brushstrokes delineate areas of color. This combination creates a sense of depth and texture, enhancing the overall visual impact. The background remains largely unadorned, allowing the focus to remain squarely on the central figures.
Subtly embedded within this scene are hints of cultural appropriation and the fascination with the Orient that characterized much of European art during this period. The woman’s appearance – her skin tone, her costume – suggests a constructed image of an exoticized “other,” filtered through the lens of Western perception. This is not necessarily indicative of malice but rather reflects the complex interplay between artistic inspiration and cultural understanding at the time. The peacock, as a symbol of beauty and divinity, further elevates the figure, suggesting a conflation of human and divine qualities within this constructed narrative.