Pavlova, Anna. (1881-1931)
The Swann [Le Cygne] - Signed Strelecki Photograph
An exceptional postcard format Count Jean de Strelecki photograph of Pavlova in Le Cygne, boldly signed by the dancer across the image. Postally unused, a few surface impressions and silvering around the edges, overall fine. 9 x 14 cm.This photograph is the most famous of a series of photographs of Pavlova taken in Strelecki's New York studio circa 1914 and it was Pavlova's favorite image of herself. She had it reproduced on posters, playbills, and souvenir programs all over the world.
Count Jean de Stelecki was born into a family of Polish military aristrocracy, he resided in Paris rather than the family seat of Poluwy in the years before WWI. A painter, sculptor, poet and camera artist, he became the chief photographer of celebrities for Reutlinger Studio, Paris, in the 1910s. In this capacity, he took hundreds of photographs of the Ballets Russes during their historic forays to France. He attracted the notice of Serge Diaghilev, impressario of the Ballet Russe, who convinced him to set himself up as an independant artist. With Baron Adolph de Meyer, Strelecki supplied photographic publicity portraits for dancers for several productions.
Le Cygne [The Swann] is a ballet in one act, with choreography by Mikhail Fokine to music by Saint Saens (1905), and was first performed at Maryinsky Theatre, St. Petersburg, December 22, 1907. (15161)
Signed Photograph Dance