Not currently on display at the V&A

Swan Lake

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

Stage photograph of Serge Lifar as the Prince in Swan Lake, performed by Serge Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, c. 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'. The costume was 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 in costume for the Prince Swan Lake, performed by Serge Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, c. 1926
Physical description
Stage photograph of Swan Lake, performed by Serge Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, c. 1926. The photograph is of the Prince played by Serge Lifar striking a dramatic pose, with his arms outstretched to reveal details of his cloak.
Dimensions
  • Height: 240mm
  • Width: 187mm
Credit line
Gabrielle Enthoven Collection
Summary
Stage photograph of Serge Lifar as the Prince in Swan Lake, performed by Serge Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, c. 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'. The costume was credited to Constanin Korovine.

Collection
Accession number
S.285-2017

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Record createdAugust 2, 2017
Record URL
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