Tamara Karsavina
(1885-1978), Ballet dancerSitter 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).
by Leon Kamir-Kaufman, after Karl Fischer
pastel, 1913, based on a work of 1910
NPG 5347
by Bertram Park
cream-toned bromide print, 1910s
NPG x39300
by Léopold Emile Reutlinger
gelatin silver print, 1910s
NPG x196088
Tamara Karsavina as Armide in 'Pavillon d'Armide'
by E.O. Hoppé
whole-plate glass transparency, 1911
NPG x45203
Tamara Karsavina as the Firebird in 'L'Oiseau de Feu' (The Firebird)
by E.O. Hoppé
photogravure, 1911
NPG x134193
Tamara Karsavina as the Firebird in 'L'Oiseau de Feu' (The Firebird)
by E.O. Hoppé
photogravure, 1911
NPG x134194
by E.O. Hoppé
photogravure, 1911
NPG x134195
Tamara Karsavina in 'Le Spectre de la Rose'
by E.O. Hoppé
photogravure, 1911
NPG x134199
by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 27 June 1912
NPG x81076
Tamara Karsavina as Columbine in 'Carnaval'
by E.O. Hoppé
matte bromide print, 1912
NPG x39299
Adolph Bolm as the Prince and Tamara Karsavina as Queen Thamar in 'Thamar'
by E.O. Hoppé
photogravure, 1912
NPG x134198
by Bassano Ltd
vintage proof print, 27 June 1912
NPG x85799
Tamara Karsavina as Columbine in 'Carnaval'
by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 27 June 1919
NPG x16762
Tamara Karsavina as Columbine in 'Carnaval'
by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 27 June 1919
NPG x16763
Tamara Karsavina as Columbine in 'Carnaval'
by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 27 June 1919
NPG x16764
Tamara Karsavina as Columbine in 'Carnaval'
by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 27 June 1919
NPG x16765
Tamara Karsavina as Columbine in 'Carnaval'
by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 27 June 1919
NPG x16766
Tamara Karsavina as Columbine in 'Carnaval'
by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 27 June 1919
NPG x16767
Tamara Karsavina as Columbine in 'Carnaval'
by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 27 June 1919
NPG x16768
by Blake Studios
bromide postcard print, early 1920s
NPG x133148
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