Artwork
Ballet Graces
Ballet Graces is a print by J. Follit. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Ballet Graces / No 2 is a mid-19th-century print depicting a ballet dancer, part of a series that captures the essence of ballet during that era.
Subject & Meaning
The print represents a generic ballet dancer, not a specific individual, with costume details such as a low-necked bodice and tiered tarlatan skirt that evoke a timeless image of a dancer. Accessories like a fez, jacket, and knotted scarf suggest a connection to Greece or the Near East.
Technique & Style
The image adheres to the crystallized representation of ballet dancers that emerged in the 1840s, characterized by sleeked-down hair and a distinctive costume. The addition of regional trims and accessories to the basic attire creates a sense of geographic diversity.
Artist & collection
Artist
Mid-19th-century prints of ballet dancers in graceful poses, titled Ballet Graces, line up in numbered sheets.
