Sketch for the ballet 'La Peri', by Paul Dukas 1911

Léon Bakst made this costume sketch for the ballet 'La Peri' using watercolor and pencil. It's a fine art on paper, yet this sketch shows how Bakst blended those traditional materials with the practical demands of theatrical production. The colors and patterns give us a sense of the textures and forms that the actual costume would take. The flow of the dancer's garments, full of intricate details, would require a team of skilled artisans. The realization of this sketch would depend on expert seamstresses, embroiders, and textile workers. We can see in this design the influences of the Ballets Russes aesthetic, evoking a sense of exoticism through its orientalist motifs. Yet, we can also see the labor and expertise required to bring such a vision to life. It reminds us that behind every stage spectacle, lies the work of countless hands, transforming humble materials into moments of enchantment. The world of ballet and costume design highlights how fine art relies on the skills and processes of craft traditions.