Artwork
Madlle Flora Fabri,(sic)
Madlle Flora Fabri,(sic) is a print by the Romanticist artist John Brandard. It dates from 1846 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
By the late 1840s, ballerinas started looking like she did—sleek hair, low-cut bodices, and laced tops.
This print captures a famous dancer named Madlle Flora Fabri performing in London in 1846. She danced a Spanish-style role in a ballet called The Offspring of Flowers. The print shows her in costume but not the flower maiden character she played.
Critics loved her performance. One wrote she had "full of character and graceful attitudes" and got loud applause. By the late 1840s, ballerinas started looking like she did—sleek hair, low-cut bodices, and laced tops.
Check out more ballet prints by Brandard, John.
Overview
This print depicts Madlle Flora Fabri in the role of Ersilie, a character from the ballet The Offspring of Flowers, performed in London in 1846.
Subject & Meaning
Ersilie was a flower maiden, a supernatural being, but the print does not convey this aspect of her character. Instead, it shows her in a Spanish-inspired costume, reflecting the popularity of Spanish dance at the time.
Technique & Style
The print captures Fabri in a typical late 1840s ballerina pose, with sleeked-down hair and a bell-shaped skirt. Her costume is adapted to indicate Spanish dress, with full-length sleeves and epaulettes.
History & Provenance
The print was created by John Brandard, a known producer of ballet prints. It documents Fabri's performance in The Offspring of Flowers, which was well-received by critics.
Context
Spanish dance was a popular element in ballets of the 1840s, and Fabri's performance was praised for its character and grace. The print reflects the evolving image of the ballerina during this period.
Artist & collection
Artist
John Brandard made detailed prints for the theater world in the 1830s–1850s, turning operas and ballets into eye-catching sheet music covers and playbills.
