#22358 Leon Bakst

The drawing presents two figures in what appears to be a formal setting, likely intended for theatrical or costume design purposes. The composition is straightforward: two women stand side-by-side against a plain background, their poses suggesting a presentation rather than an interaction.
On the left, a woman is depicted wearing a striking red gown with gold detailing at the neckline and waist. A dark blue skirt completes the ensemble. She holds a decorative object – perhaps a fan or ceremonial item – extended in her left hand. Her hair is styled elaborately, adorned with feathers and what seems to be a jeweled headband. The overall impression is one of regal authority and theatrical display.
The figure on the right mirrors this formality. She wears a white blouse and a vertically striped dress in yellow and blue. A tall, cylindrical hat, also striped in yellow, dominates her headwear. She carries a slender walking stick or scepter. Her posture is more rigid than that of the woman to her left, conveying an air of restrained elegance.
The color palette is bold and deliberately artificial. The use of primary colors – red, blue, and yellow – is not naturalistic but rather serves to emphasize the stylized nature of the costumes. The limited tonal range contributes to a flattened perspective, further distancing the figures from any sense of realism.
Subtly, theres an element of parody or exaggeration at play. The exaggerated height of the hats, the starkness of the colors, and the somewhat stiff poses suggest a commentary on societal conventions surrounding fashion and presentation. The drawing doesn’t simply depict costumes; it seems to critique them through their heightened theatricality. It is possible that the artist intended to satirize the ostentatiousness of a particular era or social class. The lack of background detail focuses attention entirely on the figures and their attire, amplifying this sense of deliberate artifice.