1938

Studio stamp, verso

Vintage gelatin silver print

9 x 7 inches

$3,000

Tamara Toumanova was a renowned prima ballerina and actress of Russian-Georgian descent. Born to exiled parents in Paris following the events of the Russian Revolution of 1917, she stepped onto the stage at just 10 years old, performing in the children’s ballet at the Paris Opera.

Her talent caught the eye of George Balanchine, a fellow émigré and renowned balletmaster and choreographer, leading her to join the ranks of the Baby Ballerinas at the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. Toumanova gained global recognition for her performances in various ballets across Europe before captivating American audiences as the star of Balanchine’s productions at Ballet Theatre, New York.

Although primarily focused on ballet throughout her career, Toumanova also showcased her skills as a ballet dancer in several films starting in 1944. She embraced American citizenship in 1943, becoming a naturalized citizen in Los Angeles, California.

Work by George Platt Lynes (1907-1955)