Artwork
The Pet of the Ballet.
The Pet of the Ballet. is a print by the Romanticist artist Robert Gallon. It dates from 23 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The Pet of the Ballet. / No. 3. is a print that is part of a series of eight images depicting anonymous ballet dancers. The print showcases a collection of scenes featuring dancers waiting in the wings.
Subject & Meaning
The print highlights the often-overlooked 'peris', 'nymphs', and other supporting dancers who provided a decorative background for the principal ballerinas. These dancers were known by various nicknames, such as 'les petits rats' in Paris, due to their perceived resemblance to scrappy, hungry rodents.
Technique & Style
The print is characterized by a slightly comic style, diverging from the typical idealized representations of ballet dancers prevalent in 19th-century prints. The use of a more realistic tone adds a layer of authenticity to the depiction of these supporting dancers.
Context
The title 'The Pet of the Ballet' may be linked to an 'operatic choreographic burlesque Sketch' of the same name, performed in London during the 1840s. The supporting dancers shown in the print played a crucial role in filling the stage between the appearances of the main ballerinas.
Artist & collection
