Photograph of a circus artist
Photography
Inventory number
2018.6.4.5.PH.VI.C1900.FRAuthor:
Gaston & Mathieu (French, 2nd half 19th century)Description
Visit card depicting a circus performer, probably an acrobat, dressed with a fringed leotard.This type of skin-tight one-piece garment that covers the torso but leaves the legs exposed, was used by circus performers as acrobats for performance costumes and comes from the French acrobatic performer Jules LEOTARD (1838–1870). The first known use of the name leotard came only in 1886, many years after Jules LEOTARD's death. LEOTARD himself called the garment a "maillot", which is a general French word for different types of tight-fitting shirts or sports shirts. In the early 20th century, leotards were mainly confined to circus and acrobatic shows, worn by the specialists who performed these acts.
Materials
CardboardAnalog photography
Origin
circa 1900 Paris, FranceDimensions
Length : 6.3 cmHeight : 10.5 cm