Sir Frederick Ashton
(1904-1988), Ballet dancer; founder-choreographer and Director of the Royal BalletSir Frederick William Mallandaine Ashton
Sitter in 31 portraits
Ashton created his first ballet A Tragedy of Fashion in 1926. Choreographing several pieces for the Vic-Wells Ballet he joined the company in 1935. As resident choreographer, he worked with the young Fonteyn, who became his muse. Among his greatest ballets are Symphonic Variations (1946), Scènes de Ballet (1948), La Fille mal gardée (1960), The Dream (1964), and A Month in the Country (1976). Knighted in 1962, he became director of the company the following year. In 1970 he was made a Companion of Honour and awarded the Order of Merit in 1977. His later ballets include Five Brahms Waltzes in the Manner of Isadora Duncan (1979, created for Lynn Seymour) and Rhapsody (1980).
by Unknown photographer
bromide print, late 1960s
NPG x336
Katherine Martha Mlinaric (née Laycock); Sir Frederick Ashton; David Ball
by Angela Gorgas
modern bromide print from original negative, 1977
NPG x133023
Sir Frederick Ashton; Lord David Cecil
by Cecil Beaton
pencil, late 1960s-early 1970s
NPG D17949(20)
by Virginia Surtees
vintage snapshot print, September 1948
NPG x136211
by Virginia Surtees
vintage snapshot print, September 1948
NPG x136212
by Virginia Surtees
vintage snapshot print, September 1948
NPG x136213
by Virginia Surtees
vintage snapshot print, September 1948
NPG x136215
probably by Virginia Surtees, or by Sir (Henry) Ashley Clarke
vintage snapshot print, 1 April 1950
NPG x136173
by Francis Goodman
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 3 April 1952
NPG x195691
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