Costume Design for Lady with a Fan 1890s

Basil Crage created this costume design for ‘Lady with a Fan’ with graphite and watercolor around the turn of the century. The image depicts a theatrical costume, likely for a ballet or opera, reflective of the period's fascination with ornate and extravagant stage productions. The design embodies the aesthetic values of the Belle Époque, a time characterized by optimism, peace, and artistic flourishing in Europe. The costume suggests both opulence and fantasy, hinting at the escapism and idealized beauty sought after in the cultural productions of the time. During this era, institutions like the Ballets Russes significantly influenced costume design, integrating avant-garde art with traditional performance. Archival research into theater programs and costume collections could reveal more about the specific social and artistic contexts in which Crage was working, providing a richer understanding of the cultural forces that shaped his art.