Ruth St Denis
(1878-1968), Dancer and choreographerSitter in 4 portraits
Born Ruth Denis in Newark, New Jersey, she began dancing and acting in vaudeville and musical comedy shows when she was a teenager. After studying Hindu art and philosophy, she performed Radha in New York in 1906. The same year she created The Incense and The Cobras, which she toured in Europe. In 1915 she and husband, dancer Ted Shawn, founded the Denishawn school and company in Los Angeles, which pioneered the development of modern dance in America and toured extensively until 1932. Her autobiography, Ruth St Denis: An Unfinished Life, was published in 1939.
Ruth St Denis dancing 'Hindu Rhada'
published by Rotary Photographic Co Ltd
bromide postcard print, 1900s
NPG Ax160373
by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 6 May 1922
NPG x101367
by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 6 May 1922
NPG x101368
published by Rotary Photographic Co Ltd
postcard print
NPG Ax45927
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