Artwork
Melle Emma Livry,
Melle Emma Livry, is a print by the Impressionist artist Marie-Alexandre Alophe. It dates from 1860 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This print depicts Emma Livry in costume for a performance of Félicien David's opera 'Herculanum'.
About this work
This print shows dancer Melle Emma Livry in her costume for the opera *Herculanum*. The work is a mix of Impressionism and Realism from around 1860.
The opera’s ballet was just a backdrop for Paris socialites. Livry was a rising star until a tragic accident cut her career short.
Look up the Victoria and Albert Museum to see this print.
Overview
This print depicts Emma Livry in costume for a performance of Félicien David's opera 'Herculanum'. Created around 1860, it showcases Livry's attire for a bacchanal scene.
Subject & Meaning
The print captures Livry wearing a characteristic mid-19th-century ballet costume, adorned with vine leaves and a wreath of grapes, signifying her role in a bacchanal.
Technique & Style
The work blends elements of Impressionism and Realism, reflecting the artistic trends of its time.
History & Provenance
Livry was a promising dancer whose career was cut short by a fatal accident in 1862. A copy of this print is held by the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Context
The ballet in 'Herculanum' served as a social event for Parisian elites, with Livry being a notable exception as a talented dancer amidst the spectacle.
Artist & collection
Artist
French lithographer who printed theater stars on silky paper in the 1860s. His prints capture ballerinas in *La Sylphide* and *Marco Spada*, Mademoiselle Fiocre in a Florentine drama, and Mademoiselle Plunkett twirling…
