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Sir Frederick Ashton; Ninette de Valois; Léonide Massine

1 of 27 portraits of Ninette de Valois

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Angus McBean Photograph. © Harvard Theatre Collection, Harvard University.

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Sir Frederick Ashton; Ninette de Valois; Léonide Massine

by Angus McBean
bromide print, 1946
7 1/2 in. x 9 5/8 in. (190 mm x 243 mm)
Purchased, 2001
Primary Collection
NPG P911

Sittersback to top

Artistback to top

  • Angus McBean (1904-1990), Photographer. Artist or producer associated with 283 portraits, Sitter in 79 portraits.

Linked publicationsback to top

  • Pepper, Terence, Angus McBean Portraits, 2006 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 5 July to 22 October 2006), p. 78 Read entry

    McBean’s portrait depicts three of the most important dancers, choreographers and ballet directors of the twentieth century. Frederick Ashton studied with Marie Rambert, and was - amongst many other achievements - responsible for promoting and developing the careers of Margot Fonteyn; Ninette de Valois, founder of the Sadler's Wells Ballet, which in 1946 moved to the Royal Opera House and later became the Royal Ballet; and Léonide Massine, whose international career was based mainly in Europe after 1947. Massine's film work included the choreography for his shoemaker's role in The Red Shoes (1948) and dancing in The Tales of Hoffman (1951), which was choreographed by Ashton.

Events of 1946back to top

Current affairs

The new Labour government begins to act upon the recommendations of the Beveridge Report (1942) by nationalising The Bank of England and Imperial Communications, bringing in a National Insurance Bill, and setting plans for the National Health Service. Nationalisation of industry and the provision of free healthcare and welfare were the main aims of post-war domestic politics.

Art and science

Mervyn Peake publishes Titus Groan; the first of his Gormenghast Trilogy. The three novels are regarded as classics of the fantasy genre, although they contain no magic or intelligent non-human characters, so might more appropriately be described as belonging to the 'gothic' or 'fantastic' genre.

International

Nazi officials are tried for their part in the War and the Holocaust at Nuremberg. The trials were to prosecute war criminals and the location was chosen because it was the site of the annual Nazi rallies, and therefore seen as a fitting place for the demise of the party. The Nuremberg Trials paved the way for post-war developments in international criminal law.

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