Léon Bakst
Costume for Queen Thamar in Thamar 1930s

National Gallery of Australia, Canberra

The ballet is set in the exotic Caucasian land of Georgia where Queen Thamar lures innocent men to her castle. She dances with her victim, finally stabbing him to death. Bakst has used the cool colours of blue, lilac and silver to portray the icy, dangerous nature of the temptress. The flexible midriff, one of Bakst's innovations, allowed the dancer greater freedom of movement.