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Tamara Karsavina

(1885-1978), Ballet dancer

Sitter in 35 portraits
The Russian-born ballet dancer Karsavina trained at the Imperial Ballet School and began her career at the Maryinsky Theatre, St Petersburg. She was an original member of the Diaghilev company and created many roles including those in Mikhail Fokine's ballets Les Sylphides (1909), Firebird (1910) and Petrushka (1911). She also appeared at the London Coliseum, where she danced divertissements, and continued to perform with the Maryinsky until 1918. She undertook recital tours across Europe in the 1920s and was Vice-President of the Royal Academy of Dancing, 1920-55. She wrote several books, including the autobiographical Theatre Street (1930).

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Tamara Karsavina, by Leon Kamir-Kaufman, after  Karl Fischer - NPG 5347

Tamara Karsavina

by Leon Kamir-Kaufman, after Karl Fischer
pastel, 1913, based on a work of 1910
NPG 5347

Tamara Karsavina, by Bertram Park - NPG x39300

Tamara Karsavina

by Bertram Park
cream-toned bromide print, 1910s
NPG x39300

Tamara Karsavina, by Léopold Emile Reutlinger - NPG x196088

Tamara Karsavina

by Léopold Emile Reutlinger
gelatin silver print, 1910s
NPG x196088

Tamara Karsavina as Armide in 'Pavillon d'Armide', by E.O. Hoppé - NPG x45203

Tamara Karsavina as Armide in 'Pavillon d'Armide'

by E.O. Hoppé
whole-plate glass transparency, 1911
NPG x45203

Tamara Karsavina as Columbine in 'Carnaval', by E.O. Hoppé - NPG x39299

Tamara Karsavina as Columbine in 'Carnaval'

by E.O. Hoppé
matte bromide print, 1912
NPG x39299

Tamara Karsavina, by Blake Studios - NPG x133148

Tamara Karsavina

by Blake Studios
bromide postcard print, early 1920s
NPG x133148

Tamara Karsavina, by Blake Studios - NPG x133149

Tamara Karsavina

by Blake Studios
bromide postcard print, early 1920s
NPG x133149

Tamara Karsavina, by Apeda - NPG x196089

Tamara Karsavina

by Apeda
gelatin silver print, circa 1920
NPG x196089

Tamara Karsavina, by Bassano Ltd - NPG x83115

Tamara Karsavina

by Bassano Ltd
bromide print, 21 October 1920
NPG x83115

Tamara Karsavina, by Bassano Ltd - NPG x83116

Tamara Karsavina

by Bassano Ltd
bromide print, 21 October 1920
NPG x83116

Tamara Karsavina in 'Le Astuzie Femminili', by E.O. Hoppé - NPG x13201

Tamara Karsavina in 'Le Astuzie Femminili'

by E.O. Hoppé
sepia-toned matte bromide print, 1920
NPG x13201

Tamara Karsavina, by Bassano Ltd - NPG x18121

Tamara Karsavina

by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 21 October 1920
NPG x18121

Tamara Karsavina, by Bassano Ltd - NPG x18122

Tamara Karsavina

by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 21 October 1920
NPG x18122

Tamara Karsavina, by Bassano Ltd - NPG x18123

Tamara Karsavina

by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 21 October 1920
NPG x18123

Tamara Karsavina, by Bassano Ltd - NPG x18124

Tamara Karsavina

by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 21 October 1920
NPG x18124

Tamara Karsavina, by Bassano Ltd - NPG x18125

Tamara Karsavina

by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 21 October 1920
NPG x18125

Tamara Karsavina, by Bassano Ltd - NPG x101080

Tamara Karsavina

by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 21 October 1920
NPG x101080

Tamara Karsavina, by Bassano Ltd - NPG x101082

Tamara Karsavina

by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 21 October 1920
NPG x101082

Tamara Karsavina, by Schloss-Atelier, published by  Ross-Verlag - NPG x139701

Tamara Karsavina

by Schloss-Atelier, published by Ross-Verlag
postcard print, 1925
NPG x139701

Tamara Karsavina, by Unknown photographer - NPG x196087

Tamara Karsavina

by Unknown photographer
gelatin silver print, 1950s?
NPG x196087

Tamara Karsavina, by Lord Snowdon - NPG x200833

Tamara Karsavina

by Lord Snowdon
gelatin silver print, 1958
NPG x200833

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