Rachel Strong by Léon Bakst 1924 © First Night Vintage
The Russian designer and painter Léon Bakst (1866–1924), born Lev Samuilovich Rozenberg, is more generally known for his luscious costume and set designs for Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes as witness Schéhérazade. When I discovered his magnificent portrait of Rachel Strong, the future Countess Henri de Buazhelen, on Wikimedia, I was entranced and knew I had to sell it on First Night Vintage. What I wouldn’t do to be dressed thus — such elegance. If I had the means and the money, I would get gifted photographer James Hall of Just Add Pictures, whose recreations of classics I have enjoyed, to recreate this portrait with me and my dog! I can dream.
Who was Rachel Strong? Apart from marrying Count Henri de Buazhelen, I have been able to find nothing of note about either of them, which is a shame. If anyone comes across a snippet of information, do let me know.
Available at the following galleries:
Zazzle US
Zazzle UK
Fine Art America
Fine Art England
Take care and keep laughing!
![Original & vintage art © First Night Design [www.firstnightdesign.wordpress.com] Advert from The Graphics Fairy](https://firstnightdesign.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/e286blog.jpg?w=486&h=486&crop=1 "Vintage Pettit’s Eye Salve")
![Original & vintage art © First Night Design [www.firstnightdesign.wordpress.com]](https://firstnightdesign.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/e221blog.jpg?w=159&h=159&crop=1 "Bring up the Curtain")
![Original & vintage art © First Night Design [www.firstnightdesign.wordpress.com] Green-painted fence https://unsplash.com/photos/FxeeNx_yMpw Lake Annecy by Mindy Sommers Celestial Eruption by eberhard grossgasteiger on Unsplash https://unsplash.com/photos/NvesrDbsrL4](https://firstnightdesign.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/v057fb.jpg?w=159&h=159&crop=1 "Valentine Blush")
![Original & vintage art © First Night Design [www.firstnightdesign.wordpress.com] Photograph by “Nicolai Bernsten”:DJ;KGH; at “Unsplash”:http://unsplash.com Textures “2LO Confetti 17 and 2LO Distressed 12 from”:http://2lilowls.com](https://firstnightdesign.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/e289blog.jpg?w=159&h=159&crop=1 "The Boat House")
![Butterflies from China, Japan, and Corea: “Biodiversity Library”:http://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/45490916 Texture: “Kerstin Frank”:https://www.flickr.com/photos/kerstinfrank-design/9181048645/in/photostream/ Flowers: “Rijksmuseum”:https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/my/collections/150967--sarah-vernon/mijn-eerste-verzameling/objecten#/SK-A-3899,0 Original & vintage art © First Night Design [www.firstnightdesign.wordpress.com]](https://firstnightdesign.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/e309blog.jpg?w=159&h=159&crop=1 "‘Happiness is a Butterfly’")
![Butterfly Cascade © Sarah Vernon [Crated]](https://firstnightdesign.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/e250blog1.jpg?w=159&h=159&crop=1 "Butterfly Cascade © Sarah Vernon [Crated]")
![Romance in Stone [framed] © Sarah Vernon](https://firstnightdesign.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/romanceinstoneframed.jpg?w=159&h=159&crop=1 "romanceinstoneframed")
![Photo Unsplash Texture - 2LO Haunting 14 & 2LO Haunting 23 - “2 Lil’ Owls”:http://2lilowls.com. Original & vintage art © First Night Design [www.firstnightdesign.wordpress.com]](https://firstnightdesign.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/e285blog.jpg?w=159&h=159&crop=1 "Night Landings © Sarah Vernon")
![Yacht: https://www.flickr.com/photos/zakhark/572331622/in/faves-83665426@N05/ Texture: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kerstinfrank-design/19581317079/in/faves-83665426@N05/ Original & vintage art © First Night Design [www.firstnightdesign.wordpress.com]](https://firstnightdesign.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/e303blog.jpg?w=159&h=159&crop=1 "Sailing to the Moon")
![The Boat House Tote Bag © Sarah Vernon [Fine Art England]](https://firstnightdesign.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/totebagfae.jpg?w=159&h=159&crop=1 "totebagfae")
![Original & vintage art © First Night Design [www.firstnightdesign.wordpress.com]](https://firstnightdesign.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/photorehabcovermakeoveraugust.jpg?w=159&h=159&crop=1 "#photorehabcovermakeoverAugust")
![Bird on the Beam © Sarah Vernon [Crated]](https://firstnightdesign.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/e254blog.jpg?w=159&h=159&crop=1 "Bird on the Beam © Sarah Vernon [Crated]")
![Photograph from the ex-Mrs FND Photograph from Unsplash Texture 2LO Ancient times 2 Clock created for Behind Time Original & vintage art © First Night Design [www.firstnightdesign.wordpress.com]](https://firstnightdesign.files.wordpress.com/2015/12/e353blog.jpg?w=159&h=159&crop=1 "Beating the Blues")
![Gabrielle d'Estrees and one of her sisters [unknown]](https://firstnightdesign.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/ma015frame.jpg?w=159&h=159&crop=1 "ma015frame")
![Artful Pumpkins © Sarah Vernon [Redbubble]](https://firstnightdesign.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/hl008blog.jpg?w=159&h=159&crop=1 "Artful Pumpkins © Sarah Vernon [Redbubble]")
![Venetian Rose Water © Sarah Vernon [Crated]](https://firstnightdesign.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/e257blog1.jpg?w=159&h=159&crop=1 "Venetian Rose Water © Sarah Vernon [Crated]")
![Original & vintage art © First Night Design [www.firstnightdesign.wordpress.com]](https://firstnightdesign.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/ma077blog.jpg?w=159&h=159&crop=1 "The Meeting of Antony and Cleopatra - Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema (")
![Original & vintage art © First Night Design [www.firstnightdesign.wordpress.com] Vintage Henry Irving and Ellen Terry as Beatrice and Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing from The Library of Congress: http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/97514042/ The background is a blend of the interior of The Great Exhibition at Crystal Palace in 1851 from an old encyclopaedia — the venue was originally built in Hyde Park and the exhibition was organised by Prince Albert and Henry Cole — and textures from “2 Lil’ Owls”:http://2lilowls.com. http://www.vam.ac.uk/page/g/great-exhibition/](https://firstnightdesign.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/e284blog.jpg?w=159&h=159&crop=1 "Beatrice and Benedick")
23 comments
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05/01/2017 at 09:00
First Night Design | Rachel Strong by Léon Bakst 1924 #Cards #Prints | First Night Design | First Night Design
[…] Source: First Night Design | Rachel Strong by Léon Bakst 1924 #Cards #Prints | First Night Design […]
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25/11/2015 at 20:04
Portrait after Leon Bakst | Just add pictures
[…] the year, Sarah Vernon of First Night Design published this article and drew my attention to a marvellous portrait of Rachel Strong by the Russian artist Leon Bakst. […]
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29/08/2015 at 21:24
Ace Worldwide News Group
Reblogged this on ' Ace Friends News '.
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29/08/2015 at 00:36
Violet Hoarder
I’d never heard of Leon, but if this is an example of his work–I’m going to explore more about him. You have such wonderful taste, Sarah.
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29/08/2015 at 14:19
First Night Design
Bless you. That’s a great compliment, although if I’m being fair, what is taste except ones personal appreciation. I try not to be be dismissive of people whose tastes differ from my own but I do wonder sometimes at some of things people like!
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28/08/2015 at 18:32
beetleypete
That is an elegant lady indeed, an epitome of 20s style.
She looks so sad though, and the background is reminiscent of a scene from a WW1 painting.
It is certainly haunting, and deserving of detailed examination.
Best wishes, Pete.
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28/08/2015 at 19:33
First Night Design
I think she looks contemplative rather than sad. But if there is a hint of sadness there, perhaps we can imagine that the man she truly loved was killed in the war and that she didn’t really want to marry the count!
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28/08/2015 at 20:21
beetleypete
That works for me, Sarah. x
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28/08/2015 at 17:10
Mary
Awesome painting, the contrasts are brilliant – wonderful Sarah.
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28/08/2015 at 17:52
First Night Design
I’m happy you like it as much as I do, Mary.
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28/08/2015 at 13:17
Peter Wells aka Countingducks
It is a lovely portrait as you say, and by the looks of it, me and that dog might well have one or two useful conversations. Have a lovely weekend 🙂
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28/08/2015 at 13:56
First Night Design
🙂
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28/08/2015 at 11:06
janemorley2014
Always been a fan of Mr Bakst, nice to see a portrait for a change and a stunning one at that!
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28/08/2015 at 11:17
First Night Design
I was really surprised to see the portrait. I’m glad we think alike!
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28/08/2015 at 11:01
Tish Farrell
This truly is a captivating image.
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28/08/2015 at 11:15
First Night Design
Isn’t it just!
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28/08/2015 at 10:05
James Hall
Sarah, thank you for your flattering reference. It is a great image and it would be churlish not to see if we can respond to the challenge. Are you able to contact me privately so we can discuss how we might do it? James
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28/08/2015 at 11:14
First Night Design
Pleasure! I’ll certainly email you but I’m not sure how we can do it as I’m in Crete!
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03/09/2015 at 21:13
James Hall
Crete may be a stretch, but you have certainly inspired me to consider that compelling image. Hope you like the Four Seasons.
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28/08/2015 at 09:13
janetweightreed10
I love the painting, the clothes, everything…..stunning, indeed. Thank you and have a wonderful day and definitely keep smiling:)xx
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28/08/2015 at 11:13
First Night Design
I’m so pleased you like it as much as I do, Janet. Keep smiling. xx
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28/08/2015 at 06:51
davidprosser
This is stunning artwork.Such supreme elegance from that period. Any wonder I like the Edwardian era for the style of clothes.Maybe my frock coat and top hat can stand beside you when you recreate the picture yourself.
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
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28/08/2015 at 11:11
First Night Design
Of course you can! Hugs. xx
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