Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a print by the Romanticist artist Alfred Edward Chalon. It dates from 1831 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Her dress is light and flowing, covered in small floral patterns, and she wears a wreath of flowers in her hair.
This print shows a woman dressed as a fairy or dancer. She’s mid-movement, one arm raised, the other holding a fan with delicate wings. Her dress is light and flowing, covered in small floral patterns, and she wears a wreath of flowers in her hair. The background is a soft, blurred landscape with trees and a sky.
The name at the bottom reads *Mademoiselle Taglioni*, which was likely her stage name. This print was made in 1831, and the artist was Alfred Edward Chalon.
Look up Chalon, Alfred Edward (RA) to see more of his work.
Overview
This lithograph depicts a female dancer in mid-arabesque, identified as Marie Taglioni, capturing a moment from her 1830 London debut as Flore in *Flore et Zéphire* at the King’s Theatre.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is Marie Taglioni in her role as Flore, commemorating her London debut. The pose and attire, including a floral wreath and delicate accessories, convey the ethereal, fairy-like character of Flore.
Technique & Style
Created by R. J. Lane after a design by Alfred Edward Chalon, the print features soft, blurred landscapes and detailed, flowing costumes, characteristic of early 19th-century lithographic portraiture.
History & Provenance
Produced in 1831, the print was possibly once part of the London Archives of the Dance before entering the Cyril Beaumont Bequest and subsequently the museum’s collection.
Context
The work reflects the popularity of ballet in early 19th-century London and the acclaim of Marie Taglioni, a prominent ballet dancer of her time.
Legacy
As a commemoration of a pivotal moment in Taglioni’s career, the print serves as a historical record of early 19th-century ballet and its leading figures.
Artist & collection
Artist
Alfred Edward Chalon was a Swiss-born British portraitist. He lived in London where he was noticed by Queen Victoria.
