Artwork
Serge Diaghilev's Ballets Russes
Serge Diaghilev's Ballets Russes is a photographic photography by Emil Otto Hoppé. It dates from 1928 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
This black-and-white photo freezes eight dancers from Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes on stage in Edinburgh in 1928. Emil Otto Hoppé lined them up like a curtain call—eight faces, one costume, one moment.
The snapshot shows the company before a show at Holyrood, a rare backstage glimpse of the famous troupe.
Look up the Victoria and Albert Museum to see this picture in person.
Overview
This black‑and‑white photograph captures eight dancers from Serge Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes assembled onstage at Edinburgh’s Holyrood venue in 1928. The image, composed by photographer Emil Otto Hoppé, presents the performers in a single line, resembling a curtain‑call, each figure illuminated against a plain backdrop.
Subject & Meaning
The picture records a moment just before a performance, offering a rare backstage view of the renowned troupe. The dancers—among them Alfred King, Leon Woizikovski, Serge Lifar, Felia Doubrovska, Alexandra Danilova, George Balanchine, Lubov Tchernicheva, and Alicia Markova—are shown in identical costume, emphasizing their collective identity rather than individual roles.
Technique & Style
Hoppé employed a straightforward, high‑contrast photographic approach, using the stark tonal range of monochrome film to delineate the figures. The composition is linear and formal, with each dancer positioned equidistantly, creating a sense of order that mirrors the disciplined nature of ballet ensembles.
History & Provenance
Taken during the Ballets Russes’ 1928 tour of Scotland, the image entered the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, where it is catalogued as a documentary record of the company’s international engagements. The photograph remains a key visual source for scholars studying the troupe’s personnel and touring activities.
Context
The Ballets Russes, founded by Serge Diaghilev in 1909, was celebrated for its innovative choreography, music, and design. By the late 1920s, the company had become a cultural ambassador, bringing Russian ballet to Western audiences. This Edinburgh scene reflects the troupe’s widespread influence and the era’s fascination with exotic, avant‑garde performance.
Artist & collection
Artist
Emil Otto Hoppé built a career behind the camera in the early 20th century, making crisp portraits of artists and institutions.
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