Not currently on display at the V&A

Swan Lake

Photograph
c. 1926 (photographed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Posed photograph of Serge Lifar and Alexandra Danilova in Swan Lake, revived by Serge Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, 1926.
This photograph was taken to promote the revival of The Swan Lake at the first night of the 'popular' season at the Lyceum Theatre, London, given by the Ballets Russes in November, December 1926. Swan Lake, described as a 'choreographic poem in 1 act' was the lake-side scene usually act II of the full ballet. The Morning Post had some reservations about the performances as the dancers had been ' experimenting too much in modernity to maintain the rigid accuracy and perfect technique indispensible in dancing of this kind' but did add Danilova 'was good and looked lovely'. Thechoreography was credited to Marius Petipa, music was by Piotr Tchaikovsky and the set and costumes were credited to Constanin Korovine.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleSwan Lake (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Photograph
Brief description
Photograph by Sasha of Serge Lifar and Alexandra Danilova in Swan Lake, performed by Serge Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, c. 1926
Physical description
Posed photograph of Swan Lake, performed by Serge Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, c. 1926. The photograph shows the principal dancers, Serge Lifar and Alexandra Danilova.
Dimensions
  • Height: 240mm
  • Width: 187mm
Credit line
Gabrielle Enthoven Collection
Summary
Posed photograph of Serge Lifar and Alexandra Danilova in Swan Lake, revived by Serge Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, 1926.
This photograph was taken to promote the revival of The Swan Lake at the first night of the 'popular' season at the Lyceum Theatre, London, given by the Ballets Russes in November, December 1926. Swan Lake, described as a 'choreographic poem in 1 act' was the lake-side scene usually act II of the full ballet. The Morning Post had some reservations about the performances as the dancers had been ' experimenting too much in modernity to maintain the rigid accuracy and perfect technique indispensible in dancing of this kind' but did add Danilova 'was good and looked lovely'. Thechoreography was credited to Marius Petipa, music was by Piotr Tchaikovsky and the set and costumes were credited to Constanin Korovine.
Collection
Accession number
S.292-2017

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Record createdAugust 2, 2017
Record URL
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