Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a print by the Romanticist artist Alfred Edward Chalon. It dates from 1844 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This untitled print depicts Pauline Duvernay performing the Cachucha, a stylized Spanish dance originating from Cuba, which gained popularity in Europe through ballet productions in the 1830s.
Subject & Meaning
The print captures Duvernay in the traditional Cachucha attire, including a Spanish comb, mantilla, fitted bodice, and a full, bell-shaped skirt adorned with black lace flounces. Notably, while accounts describe her costume as red, the print portrays it as pink.
Technique & Style
The print's technique and style are not explicitly detailed in the provided context, focusing instead on the subject's portrayal and historical dance context.
History & Provenance
The print is associated with Pauline Duvernay's 1836 performance of the Cachucha in London, a pinnacle of her career, preceding her retirement in 1837 upon marrying Stephens Lyne Stephens.
Context
The Cachucha's popularity, as showcased by Duvernay, reflects a late 19th-century European fascination with national dances from Spain and Eastern Europe, offering a contrast to traditional ballet.
Legacy
The legacy of this print lies in its documentation of a significant moment in Duvernay's career and the broader appeal of the Cachucha dance in 19th-century Europe, though specific artistic or cultural impacts are not detailed.
Artist & collection
Artist
Alfred Edward Chalon was a Swiss-born British portraitist. He lived in London where he was noticed by Queen Victoria.
