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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

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