Alicia Markova
(1910-2004), Ballet dancerDame Alicia Markova
Sitter in 35 portraits
One of the great ballerinas of the twentieth century, Markova was admired for the purity and lightness of her dancing. At the age of fourteen she joined Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, where she created roles for choreographer George Balanchine. As prima ballerina with the Vic-Wells Ballet, (1933-35), she was the first British dancer to appear as Giselle and Odette/Odile, and created roles in Rendezvous (1933), and The Rake's Progress (1935). In 1935 she formed a touring company with Anton Dolin, and in 1950 they co-founded the Festival Ballet (English National Ballet). She was made a Dame in 1963 and became director of the New York Metropolitan Opera Ballet, 1963-69.
by Richard Browne
bronze half-length figure, 1961
On display in the Weston Wing Café at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 6163
by Bern Schwartz
dye transfer print, 1 October 1976
NPG P1203
by Carl Van Vechten
gelatin silver print, 1940s
NPG x194438
by Horst P. Horst
modern print from original negative, 1941
NPG x137759
by Hugh Broderick
vintage print, circa 1942
NPG x194291
by Carl Van Vechten
gelatin silver print, 22 October 1946
NPG x194439
Dame Alicia Markova in 'The Dying Swan'
by Gilbert Adams
gelatin silver print, 1948
NPG x199883
Edward Brian Seago; Alicia Markova
by Gordon Anthony
vintage print, circa 1950
NPG x137038
by Dorothy Wilding
half-plate film negative, 12 May 1955
NPG x35784
by Walter Bird
bromide print, 31 July 1963
NPG x167147
Alicia Markova; Sir Anton Dolin
by Gordon Anthony
halftone reproduction tear sheet, published 23 June 1948
NPG x137541
by Angus McBean
halftone reproduction tear sheet, published 7 October 1953
NPG x136631
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