Caricature of themselves by Nicolai and Sergei Legat
Print
1902-1905 (drawn)
1902-1905 (drawn)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Nicolai Legat (1869-1937) and his brother Sergei (1875-1905) were dancers, choreographers, teachers of ballet and caricaturists. Both worked for the Russian Imperial Ballet. Nicolai became an important teacher and after leaving the Imperial Ballet in 1914 went on to teach dance in Russia, Paris and London, where he eventually settled. Sergei, regarded as the greater choreographer and perceived as the natural successor to Pavel Gerdt as the Imperial Ballet's Premier danseur noble, committed suicide, aged 30.
The brothers worked together to produce caricatures of fellow dancers and choreographers. In an unpublished memoir Josif Kschesinky described their methods: 'One of them would be sitting at a desk and the other standing behind him, leaning on his shoulders. Then, suddenly, he would snatch the pencil or paint-brush from his brother's hand and push him off his chair. He would take over the drawing and proceed to work on the sketch. A little later the first brother would have a new idea and go through the same manoeuvre and would continue the sketch.' This cartoon shows them working on the image of Alfred Bekefy (Bekefi) included in this portfolio. (see S.3119-2010)
The brothers worked together to produce caricatures of fellow dancers and choreographers. In an unpublished memoir Josif Kschesinky described their methods: 'One of them would be sitting at a desk and the other standing behind him, leaning on his shoulders. Then, suddenly, he would snatch the pencil or paint-brush from his brother's hand and push him off his chair. He would take over the drawing and proceed to work on the sketch. A little later the first brother would have a new idea and go through the same manoeuvre and would continue the sketch.' This cartoon shows them working on the image of Alfred Bekefy (Bekefi) included in this portfolio. (see S.3119-2010)
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Caricature of themselves by Nicolai and Sergei Legat (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Chromolithograph |
| Brief description | Caricature of themselves by Nicolai and Sergei Legat working on a cartoon of Alfred Bekefy (Bekefi) from N & S Legat, Russky Balet v Karikatura, St Petersburg 1902-05 |
| Physical description | Caricature of themselves by the brothers Nicolai and Sergei Legat. They are dressed in day suits and are facing left, working together on a large caricature. Balding Nicolai sits on Sergei's shoulders and is leaning forward, his left hand on his younger brother's head. He wields a large pen and is smoking a cigarette. Sergei, who has a full head of hair, holds a long paint brush in both hands. |
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| Object history | The image is taken from The Russian Ballet in Caricatures, St Petersburg, 1902-1905, a portfolio of 95 prints. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Nicolai Legat (1869-1937) and his brother Sergei (1875-1905) were dancers, choreographers, teachers of ballet and caricaturists. Both worked for the Russian Imperial Ballet. Nicolai became an important teacher and after leaving the Imperial Ballet in 1914 went on to teach dance in Russia, Paris and London, where he eventually settled. Sergei, regarded as the greater choreographer and perceived as the natural successor to Pavel Gerdt as the Imperial Ballet's Premier danseur noble, committed suicide, aged 30. The brothers worked together to produce caricatures of fellow dancers and choreographers. In an unpublished memoir Josif Kschesinky described their methods: 'One of them would be sitting at a desk and the other standing behind him, leaning on his shoulders. Then, suddenly, he would snatch the pencil or paint-brush from his brother's hand and push him off his chair. He would take over the drawing and proceed to work on the sketch. A little later the first brother would have a new idea and go through the same manoeuvre and would continue the sketch.' This cartoon shows them working on the image of Alfred Bekefy (Bekefi) included in this portfolio. (see S.3119-2010) |
| Bibliographic reference | Legat, N. & S, Russky Balet v Karikatura, St Petersburg 1902-05
Legat, N. Ballet Russe London, 1939
Gregory, John. The Legat Saga - Golden Years of the Russian Ballet: the life and times of Nicolai Legat ( London: Javog Publishing Associates, 1992), p.18. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.5309-2009 |
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| Record created | February 18, 2010 |
| Record URL |
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