Artwork
Tamara Karsavina
Tamara Karsavina is a photographic photography by Ltd. Foulsham & Banfield. It dates from 1924 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The 1924 full‑length photograph presents a woman dressed in an 18th‑century‑inspired costume.
About this work
Overview
The 1924 full‑length photograph presents a woman dressed in an 18th‑century‑inspired costume. She wears a gown with wide lace cuffs at the ends of elbow‑length sleeves, a high neckline, a choker, heeled shoes, and a powdered wig embellished with flowers. The image is rendered in black and white, capturing the texture of the fabric and the elegance of the pose.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter’s arms are extended outward, suggesting a moment taken from a dance or balletic gesture. The combination of period costume and dynamic posture creates a dialogue between historical fashion and contemporary performance, hinting at a theatrical or commemorative intent rather than a straightforward portrait.
Technique & Style
Photographed in the early 1920s, the image employs the clarity and tonal range typical of studio portraiture of the era. The composition centers the figure, allowing the intricate lace and the details of the wig to be rendered sharply against the plain background, while the soft lighting emphasizes the drapery’s lightness.
History & Provenance
The photograph was likely produced as a commission for the periodical *The Sketch*. In December 1934, Albert W. King donated the print to the Gabrielle Enthoven Collection, where it has been preserved as part of the museum’s photographic archive.
Artist & collection
Artist
London in the 1920s had a buzzing arts scene, and photographers like Ltd. Foulsham & Banfield were right in the middle of it. Their images capture the era’s energy with crisp portraits and candid shots of city life.…
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