Rating and value of works, drawings, paintings by Léon Bakst

If you own a work by or based on the artist Léon Bakst and would like to know its value, our state-approved experts and auctioneers can help you. Our specialists will carry out a free appraisal of your work, and provide you with a precise estimate of its value on the current market. Then, if you wish to sell your work of art, we will guide you towards the best possible means of obtaining the best possible price. 

Artist's rating and value

Considered one of the leading members of the Russian art movement "The World of Art", Léon Bakst designed numerous sets and costumes for composer Diaghilev's famous company. Also a painter and draughtsman, Léon Bakst enjoyed a certain reputation during his lifetime, establishing himself as a major figure on the art market. Now highly prized and sought-after by collectors, the price of works by Léon Bakst soars at auction, and can exceed the million euro mark, like his charcoal on paper The yellow Sultana, auctioned in 2012. 

Order of value from the most basic to the most prestigious

The artist's works and style

Léon Bakst's artistic style is characterized by vivid colors and exotic motifs, inspired by Eastern cultures and traditional Russian decorative arts. His creations, often extravagant and theatrical, seek to create a spectacular visual experience on stage. Bakst's sumptuous materials, detailed ornamentation and bold colors bring his creations to life.

As a painter and illustrator, Léon Bakst created portraits and compositions inspired by mythology and the Eastern world. Influenced by Art Nouveau and the artistic movements of his time, Bakst set himself apart by combining realism with stylized, decorative elements.

Bakst, behind the Opera sets

Léon Bakst was born in Belarus in 1866. At just 12, he won a drawing competition. He then decided to become a painter. Bakst entered the Academy of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg, but was expelled for a Pietà he deemed too realistic.

After several trips to Italy, Germany and France, Léon Bakst settles in Paris. He was admitted to the Académie Julian and frequented Jean-Léon Gérôme's studio. His many travels enriched his culture, his career and his mind, culminating in a degree of recognition in his native country.

After founding the magazine "Le Monde de l'art" in 1898, Bakst received commissions from Tsar Nicholas II and contributed to a number of Russian newspapers.

His career as a set designer began at the Imperial Ballet Theater in St. Petersburg in 1902. Five years later, he began a collaboration with the young choreographer Michel Fokine, and also designed costume sketches for various ballets.

Léon Bakst thus became the privileged partner of the Ballets Russes. His boldly chromatic costumes and sets met with considerable success.

As an artist, Léon Bakst expressed a distinctive and refined personality, always driven by the desire to make an innovative contribution to the renewal of modern art in his time. His influence left an indelible mark on the avant-garde, painting, decorative arts and scenography of the first half of the 20th century.

His signature

Not all Léon Bakst's works are signed.

Although there are variations, here is a first example of its signature:

Appraising your property

If you own a work by Léon Bakst, don't hesitate to request a free appraisal by filling in our online form. A member of our team of experts and chartered auctioneers will contact you to provide an estimate of the market value of your Bakst work.

If you are considering selling your work, our specialists will also guide you through the various alternatives available to obtain the best possible price, taking into account market trends and the specific features of each work.