Fanny Ellsler (sic) in the Shadow Dance
Print
1846 (published)
1846 (published)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Ondine is a water nymph who falls in love with a mortal. In the sea, where the sun does not reach, there are no shadows, so when she steps onto the shore and the moon casts her shadow on the sand, she thinks it is another person. The 'shadow dance' became the ballet's most famous image, celebrated in paintings and prints, which were avidly collected by Elssler's fans. Her spirited and sensuous dancing won her many male admirers, unlike the spiritual and ethereal performances of her great rival, Marie Taglioni, whose appeal was primarily to women.
This print, by the American Nathanial Currier, commemorates Elssler's huge popularity in America, where she toured in the early 1840s. She was so popular, that, according to legend, Congress agreed not to meet when she was dancing so that members could go to her performances.
This print, by the American Nathanial Currier, commemorates Elssler's huge popularity in America, where she toured in the early 1840s. She was so popular, that, according to legend, Congress agreed not to meet when she was dancing so that members could go to her performances.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Fanny Ellsler (sic) in the Shadow Dance (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Lithograph coloured by hand |
| Brief description | Fanny Elssler in the Shadow Dance from Ondine Lithograph coloured by hand by Nathanial Currier, 1846 |
| Physical description | Against blue mountains and sky with a full moon, a female figure dances on the rocky shore. She is jumping from her right leg, the left foot visible at calf-height behind. Her arms are held out with hands downwards and she is looking down at her shadow on the shore. Her hair is dressed in severe mid-Victorian style and her knee-length ballet dress has an off the shoulder red fitted bodice with diaphanous short sleeves and wings at the back; the skirt is tinted palest pink. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Bequeathed by Lady Mary Evans |
| Object history | In Ondine, created by Jules Perrot in 1843, Ondine is a water nymph who falls in love with a mortal. Fanny Elssler took over the title role in the ballet Ondine from Fanny Cerrito, for whom it was created, and danced it on her tours of America. |
| Summary | Ondine is a water nymph who falls in love with a mortal. In the sea, where the sun does not reach, there are no shadows, so when she steps onto the shore and the moon casts her shadow on the sand, she thinks it is another person. The 'shadow dance' became the ballet's most famous image, celebrated in paintings and prints, which were avidly collected by Elssler's fans. Her spirited and sensuous dancing won her many male admirers, unlike the spiritual and ethereal performances of her great rival, Marie Taglioni, whose appeal was primarily to women. This print, by the American Nathanial Currier, commemorates Elssler's huge popularity in America, where she toured in the early 1840s. She was so popular, that, according to legend, Congress agreed not to meet when she was dancing so that members could go to her performances. |
| Other number | Ppuk 1423 - PeoplePlay UK number |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.2599-1986 |
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| Record created | October 8, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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