Graham, Martha. (1894–1991). Signed Photograph in "Herodiade".
Signed photograph of the American dancer, choreographer and teacher, a pioneer of modern dance, in "Mirror Before Me," the original name of her pivotal work, "Herodiade." She is depicted with one of the set elements designed by Isamu Noguchi and has signed and inscribed to Paul McMahon. Two handstamps to verso: "S. Hurok presents Martha Graham Dance Company," crossed out, and "Martha Graham Dance Company by arrangement with Harold Shaw," replacing the other. Oblong format, 7.25 x 9.75 inches (19.5 x 23.7 cm). In fine condition.
"The twenty-two-minute dance Herodiade created by Martha Graham in 1944 marks a pivotal moment in her choreographic development, bridging the divide between the Americana dances of the 1930s and early 1940s and the mythological works of the next twenty years. Based on Stéphane Mallarmé's poem of the same name (1864/65), Herodiade is a duet for an enigmatic 'Woman' and her 'Attendant' and alludes to the biblical legend of Herodias/Salome. Although the dance seems slight in comparison to the large-scale works, this was Graham's first foray into the field of Judaeo-Christian mythology and led her dance theatre towards the ancient myths from which she drew her later strong, dramatic roles. Embedded within Herodiade are the seeds for the masterworks inspired by Greek mythology from Cave of the Heart (1946), the first in the cycle of Greek dances 1946–1947, to the full length Clytemnestra (1958). Herodiade was one of the dances which received its first performance on October 30 1944 in the Coolidge Auditorium of the Library of Congress in Washington. Appalachian Spring, the last and most widely acclaimed of Graham's Americana works, and the less successful and short-lived Imagined Wing, also received their premieres that same evening. At its first performance, the duet was called Mirror Before Me, after a key line in Mallarmé's poem, but shortly after the premiere Graham changed the name of the dance to Herodiade at the request of its composer, Paul Hindemith, by which title it is now known." (Henrietta Bannerman, "A Dance of Transition: Martha Graham's Herodiade" in Dance Research 24.1 (2006))
Graham was the first dancer to perform at the White House and receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction. Graham technique has been called the 'cornerstone' of American modern dance and has been taught worldwide. It is widely regarded as the first codified modern dance technique. The phrase 'Graham technique' was registered as a trademark before Graham's death, and was the subject of a trademark dispute in the early 2000s.
From the collection of Paul McMahon, a critic, photographer and artist who worked for more than 13 years touring with Marlene Dietrich as the icon’s stage manager, announcer, dresser, secretary and escort, and later spent 25 years as an arts and entertainment reviewer and photographer with Gay Community News, Esplanade, Tommy’s Connection, The Mirror, Bay Windows and other publications.
Graham, Martha. (1894–1991). Signed Photograph in "Herodiade".
Signed photograph of the American dancer, choreographer and teacher, a pioneer of modern dance, in "Mirror Before Me," the original name of her pivotal work, "Herodiade." She is depicted with one of the set elements designed by Isamu Noguchi and has signed and inscribed to Paul McMahon. Two handstamps to verso: "S. Hurok presents Martha Graham Dance Company," crossed out, and "Martha Graham Dance Company by arrangement with Harold Shaw," replacing the other. Oblong format, 7.25 x 9.75 inches (19.5 x 23.7 cm). In fine condition.
"The twenty-two-minute dance Herodiade created by Martha Graham in 1944 marks a pivotal moment in her choreographic development, bridging the divide between the Americana dances of the 1930s and early 1940s and the mythological works of the next twenty years. Based on Stéphane Mallarmé's poem of the same name (1864/65), Herodiade is a duet for an enigmatic 'Woman' and her 'Attendant' and alludes to the biblical legend of Herodias/Salome. Although the dance seems slight in comparison to the large-scale works, this was Graham's first foray into the field of Judaeo-Christian mythology and led her dance theatre towards the ancient myths from which she drew her later strong, dramatic roles. Embedded within Herodiade are the seeds for the masterworks inspired by Greek mythology from Cave of the Heart (1946), the first in the cycle of Greek dances 1946–1947, to the full length Clytemnestra (1958). Herodiade was one of the dances which received its first performance on October 30 1944 in the Coolidge Auditorium of the Library of Congress in Washington. Appalachian Spring, the last and most widely acclaimed of Graham's Americana works, and the less successful and short-lived Imagined Wing, also received their premieres that same evening. At its first performance, the duet was called Mirror Before Me, after a key line in Mallarmé's poem, but shortly after the premiere Graham changed the name of the dance to Herodiade at the request of its composer, Paul Hindemith, by which title it is now known." (Henrietta Bannerman, "A Dance of Transition: Martha Graham's Herodiade" in Dance Research 24.1 (2006))
Graham was the first dancer to perform at the White House and receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction. Graham technique has been called the 'cornerstone' of American modern dance and has been taught worldwide. It is widely regarded as the first codified modern dance technique. The phrase 'Graham technique' was registered as a trademark before Graham's death, and was the subject of a trademark dispute in the early 2000s.
From the collection of Paul McMahon, a critic, photographer and artist who worked for more than 13 years touring with Marlene Dietrich as the icon’s stage manager, announcer, dresser, secretary and escort, and later spent 25 years as an arts and entertainment reviewer and photographer with Gay Community News, Esplanade, Tommy’s Connection, The Mirror, Bay Windows and other publications.