Portrait of Vaslav NIJINSKY
Photography
Inventory number
2022.7.19.3.PH.FA.1910.FRAuthor:
Auguste BERT (French, end of 19th - beginning 20th century)Description
Reprint paper photograph depicting the dancer Vaslav NIJINSKY posing in front of a light fabric backdrop wearing his costume for the Ballets Russes "Scheherazade". NIJINSKY’s top is an ornately embroidered panel of material that wraps around his chest and is supported by four strings of pearls over his shoulders and several strings of pearls attached to his large salvar-inspired pants. The pants are bunched over the hip with a long piece of material tied around his hips. The pants are cinched at the ankles with an embroidered panel extending from the pant to cover the top of the dancer's foot which is exposed in his shiny ballet shoes. NIJINSKY is adorned with large gemstone rings, a turban, and a single hoop earring.Vaslav NIJINSKY's character in Scheherazade was called "the Golden Slave" who spent the duration of the play seducing Zobeide, danced by Ida RUBINSTEIN. Orientalism was highly present in the ballet through the plot, costume, and dance techniques choreographed by Michel FOKINE. The ballet was a westernized stereotype of the East which allowed the audience to live out their exotic fantasies without fear of social consequences.
Material
Analog photographyOrigin
1910 Paris, FranceDimensions
Length : 21 cmHeight : 29.5 cm