Léon Bakst
Costume for the Blue God in The Blue God 1912

National Gallery of Australia, Canberra

This luxurious tunic was worn by the legendary male dancer Vaslav Nijinsky. The Blue God refers to the Hindu deity, Krishna, whose skin is blue. Blue greasepaint can still be seen on the lining. Krishna's symbol, the closed lotus flower, is embroidered on the intricately detailed bodice. The surface is encrusted with embroidery, beading, ribbon and gelatin shells, showing very fine workmanship.