Anna Pavlova
Mask
ca.1931 (made)
ca.1931 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Bronze mask of Anna Pavlova (1881-1931), probably dates from 1920s.
This bronze mask has been described as a death mask, though Victor D'Andre, who was with Pavlova when she died, later wrote that he would not permit a death mask to be taken.
Anna Pavlova was one of the most famous ballerinas of all time. With her large eyes, long neck, high cheekbones and dark hair, her looks typified the ideal of the classical ballerina in the C20th. Born in St Petersburg, Pavlova was inspired to dance after seeing a production of the ballet The Sleeping Beauty. She trained at the Imperial Theatre School but by 1906 was associated with the revolutionary ideas of Mikhail Fokine, who choreographed the famous Dying Swan for her. From 1910 she led her own company dancing all over the world.
The plaster for this mask is S.549-1978
This bronze mask has been described as a death mask, though Victor D'Andre, who was with Pavlova when she died, later wrote that he would not permit a death mask to be taken.
Anna Pavlova was one of the most famous ballerinas of all time. With her large eyes, long neck, high cheekbones and dark hair, her looks typified the ideal of the classical ballerina in the C20th. Born in St Petersburg, Pavlova was inspired to dance after seeing a production of the ballet The Sleeping Beauty. She trained at the Imperial Theatre School but by 1906 was associated with the revolutionary ideas of Mikhail Fokine, who choreographed the famous Dying Swan for her. From 1910 she led her own company dancing all over the world.
The plaster for this mask is S.549-1978
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Title | Anna Pavlova (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Bronze, with painted wooden plinth |
| Brief description | Bronze mask of the dancer Anna Pavlova, with separate wooden plinth. H.J. Hatfield & Son, ca.1931 |
| Physical description | Bronze mask of Anna Pavlova, with separate wooden plinth, the plinth painted black and bevelled at upper edge. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | 'H.J. HATFIELD & SON. LONDON / 1/3' (Inscribed on base of mask) |
| Object history | Purchased in 1980 from the estate of Sir Cecil Beaton at a sale at Broadchalk. |
| Summary | Bronze mask of Anna Pavlova (1881-1931), probably dates from 1920s. This bronze mask has been described as a death mask, though Victor D'Andre, who was with Pavlova when she died, later wrote that he would not permit a death mask to be taken. Anna Pavlova was one of the most famous ballerinas of all time. With her large eyes, long neck, high cheekbones and dark hair, her looks typified the ideal of the classical ballerina in the C20th. Born in St Petersburg, Pavlova was inspired to dance after seeing a production of the ballet The Sleeping Beauty. She trained at the Imperial Theatre School but by 1906 was associated with the revolutionary ideas of Mikhail Fokine, who choreographed the famous Dying Swan for her. From 1910 she led her own company dancing all over the world. The plaster for this mask is S.549-1978 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.440&A-1980 |
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| Record created | July 1, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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