Anna Pavlova
Figurine
ca.1920 (made)
ca.1920 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This is a self-portrait figurine of Anna Pavlova, one of the most famous ballerinas of all time, who became an accomplished sculptress and produced several figurines of herself in various roles. She spent some time at the studio of the German sculptor Professor Lederer who persuaded her to let a German factory in Thuringia fire her work in porcelain.
Born in St Petersburg in 1881, Pavlova trained at the Imperial Theatre School but by 1906 she was associated with the revolutionary ideas of Mikhail Fokine, who choreographed the famous Dying Swan for her. In 1909 Pavlova danced with Diaghilev’s group in Paris, featuring on the poster advertising the season. Her first appearance in London was a year later and in 1912 she appeared in the first Royal Variety Performance. She formed her own company in 1911 and made ballet a widely popular entertainment, touring the world more than any other dancer in the days before air travel. Worn out by touring and the stress of performing, she died of pneumonia in 1931, aged 51. According to legend, her last words were to her dresser telling her to get her Dying Swan costume ready.
Born in St Petersburg in 1881, Pavlova trained at the Imperial Theatre School but by 1906 she was associated with the revolutionary ideas of Mikhail Fokine, who choreographed the famous Dying Swan for her. In 1909 Pavlova danced with Diaghilev’s group in Paris, featuring on the poster advertising the season. Her first appearance in London was a year later and in 1912 she appeared in the first Royal Variety Performance. She formed her own company in 1911 and made ballet a widely popular entertainment, touring the world more than any other dancer in the days before air travel. Worn out by touring and the stress of performing, she died of pneumonia in 1931, aged 51. According to legend, her last words were to her dresser telling her to get her Dying Swan costume ready.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Anna Pavlova (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Glazed porcelain |
| Brief description | Self-portrait figurine of Anna Pavlova (1881-1931). Glazed porcelain, Thuringian, ca.1920 |
| Physical description | Glazed white porcelain self-portrait figure of Anna Pavlova in arabesque position on an integral white circular base. Her arms are outstretched to the front at shoulder height and she is posed on point on her left leg, her right leg out behind her and a decorative swathe of 'material' behind her leg. She wears a classical tutu. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Credit line | Given by Mrs M.J. Cox |
| Summary | This is a self-portrait figurine of Anna Pavlova, one of the most famous ballerinas of all time, who became an accomplished sculptress and produced several figurines of herself in various roles. She spent some time at the studio of the German sculptor Professor Lederer who persuaded her to let a German factory in Thuringia fire her work in porcelain. Born in St Petersburg in 1881, Pavlova trained at the Imperial Theatre School but by 1906 she was associated with the revolutionary ideas of Mikhail Fokine, who choreographed the famous Dying Swan for her. In 1909 Pavlova danced with Diaghilev’s group in Paris, featuring on the poster advertising the season. Her first appearance in London was a year later and in 1912 she appeared in the first Royal Variety Performance. She formed her own company in 1911 and made ballet a widely popular entertainment, touring the world more than any other dancer in the days before air travel. Worn out by touring and the stress of performing, she died of pneumonia in 1931, aged 51. According to legend, her last words were to her dresser telling her to get her Dying Swan costume ready. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.296-1978 |
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| Record created | October 20, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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