Sakharoff, Alexandre. (1886-1963)

Postcard Photograph

Striking original postcard photograph of one of the most innovative soloist dancers of the first decades of the 20th century, in costume for Debussy's "The Gollywog's Cakewalk." Light toning; mounting remnants on the verso; overall in fine condition. 3.5 x 5.5 inches (8.7 x 13.5 cm).

In his book Reflections on Dance and Music, Sakharoff explained his artistic credo: “Clotilde Sakharoff and I did not dance with music or accompanied by music: we danced music. We made the music visual, expressing by means of movements what the composer has expressed by means of sounds... Nothing less than the states of the soul, the impressions, the sensations lived by the composer and transposed to the sound with the help of its art... Our aim was to transpose the sense expressed by the music of the sounds, to the music of the movements."

Sakharoff performed his "Gollywog's Cakewalk" in New York in February 1920. Musical America described his performance as "startling in its realistic adaptation to Debussy's odd fancy." (14994)


Unsigned Photograph
Dance