L'Après-midi d'un faune (The Afternoon of a Faun)
Print, likely a lithograph or high-quality serigraph, on heavy art paper. • Léon Bakst (attributed to/after); a Russian painter and scene/costume designer known for his work with the Ballets Russes.
Style & Movement
Symbolism / Art Nouveau / Ballets Russes Aesthetic. The style incorporates elements of Neo-Impressionism with decorative stage design principles.
Medium & Technique
Lithography or offset lithography after a mixed media original (gouache, pastel, and oil). It employs a pointillist-inflected technique with heavy stippling and textured color layering.
Creation Period
Original composition circa 1910-1925; this specific print likely mid-20th century.
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 24 x 36 inches; horizontal/landscape format.
Subject Description
The piece depicts a series of figures representing nymphs or dancers in a pastoral, dreamlike landscape. They are shown in various theatrical poses characteristic of Vaslav Nijinsky's choreography for the ballet 'L'Après-midi d'un faune'. The composition is frieze-like, emphasizing two-dimensional flat patterns and rhythmic movement.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good. There is noticeable overall yellowing/toning of the paper which suggests acid migration from the backing material.
Estimated Market Value
$150 - $400 USD (as a decorative print).
Auction Estimate
$100 - $300 USD.
Provenance History
Unknown. No visible labels or stamps are present in the image; however, the framing suggests a residential or small gallery acquisition from the 1970s or 80s.
Art Historical Significance
Significant as a visual record of the revolutionary Ballets Russes era. Bakst’s designs transformed 20th-century fashion and stage design, moving away from 19th-century realism toward a vibrant, exotic, and sensual modernism.
Notable Features
The most striking feature is the stippled 'broken color' effect which creates a shimmering, ethereal quality. A partial signature or publisher's mark appears in the lower-right margin, though it is obscured by the frame.
Condition Issues
Evidence of light fading (uv damage), foxing or spotting in the upper sections, and significant yellowing. The frame appears to be non-archival, which likely contributes to the paper's discoloration.
Conservation Recommendations
Removal from the current acidic mat and backing. Re-framing with acid-free museum-grade materials and UV-protective glazing to prevent further fading.