№ 281/окр. The 150th Birth Anniversary of Léon Bakst (1866-1924), Painter

Lev Samoilovich Bakst (1866-1924) was the Russian painter, graphic and theater artist.

In 1883 he joined the Academy of Fine Arts as a volunteer, where he was studied until 1887. In 1890 he continued his studies with the teacher Alexander N. Benoit. He became one of the founders of the "World of Art" (1898).

His exquisitely graphical style was formed at the turn of the centuries in the design of the magazines "World of Art", "Yearbook of the Imperial Theaters", "Art Treasures of Russia", "Libra" and others. Working in a variety of techniques, Bakst proved himself as a highly gifted painter as well as the master of high-expressive portrait ("Portrait of VV Rozanov," in 1901, "Portrait of Sergei Diaghilev with the nurse," in 1906, and etc).

Traveling with Valentin Serov to Greece in 1907, Lev Bakst created a series of the Mediterranean landscapes, as well as the panel "Ancient terror" (Terror Antiquus)(1908).

The talent of Lev Bakst manifested in scenography most organically. Since 1902 the artist worked for the Hermitage and Alexandrinsky theaters. Being the closest companion of Diaghilev, he was the artistic director of his "Russian Seasons" in 1911. He participated in the performances of I. Rubinshtein and A. Pavlova in 1911-1913. In the 1910-1920-ies he worked in the theaters of Paris, London, New York, Brussels and Rome.

The postal card with original stamp depicts a portrait of Lev S. Bakst and "Ancient Terror" ("Terror Antiques") (1908) painting from the collection of the State Russian Museum.