Artwork
Eileen Mayo print
Eileen Mayo print is a print by Eileen Mayo. It dates from 1928 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
It shows a love story between a man and a cat who becomes a girl, then turns back.
This print captures a scene from a 1927 ballet called *La Chatte*. It shows a love story between a man and a cat who becomes a girl, then turns back. The artist made this in 1928-1929.
The set had shiny black floors and walls. Above it hung a see-through shape that stood for Aphrodite. The costumes were made from a new material called talc.
The print was part of a bigger stage design. Check out the Victoria and Albert Museum for more.
Overview
This print by Eileen Mayo depicts a scene from the 1927 ballet La Chatte, a production of Diaghilev's Ballets Russes. Created in 1928-1929, it captures a pivotal moment in the ballet's narrative.
Subject & Meaning
The ballet tells the story of a young man who falls in love with a cat transformed into a girl by Aphrodite. The girl's feline instincts ultimately lead to her reversion to a cat when tempted by a mouse, testing her love.
Technique & Style
The original set and costumes, designed by Gabo and Pevsner, featured innovative use of talc, a flexible, transparent, and reflective material. The stage was set against gleaming black American cloth, with a rhomboidal structure symbolizing Aphrodite.
History & Provenance
The print was part of a series of hand-colored prints of Diaghilev Ballet scenes published by Beaumont, alongside works by other artists such as Adrian Allinson and Ethelbert White. The exact number produced is unknown.
Context
The 1920s saw a growing interest in the Diaghilev Ballet, with publications like Beaumont's Impressions of the Russian Ballet series. Mayo's print reflects this trend, capturing a moment from a significant ballet production.
Artist & collection
Artist
Eileen Mayo made prints in the 1920s, mostly small black-and-white works that feel sharp and spare at a glance.
