| Method | Lithograph with original hand colouring |
| Artist | John Brandard after James Warren Child |
| Published | London, Published February 10th, 1846, by Messrs. Fores, 41, Piccadilly, corner of Sackville Street |
| Dimensions | Image 404 x 276 mm, Sheet 458 x 306 mm |
| Notes |
Facsimile signature of Flora Fabbri. In 1845, Flora Fabbri made her London debut in the ballet The Devil to Pay (Le Diable à quatre). Depicted as the peasant Mazourka, she dances outside the cottage she shares with her basketmaker husband, with the Polish countryside in the background. Fabbri was an immediate success, with the posy and wreath depicted on the floor acting as symbols of the tributes thrown by the audience at the end of a performance. Fabbri is shown dancing on pointe. This act was first recorded in the 1820s, but as an acrobatic trick, and it was not until the 1830s that it became an essential element of ballet. Whilst the modern pointe shoe is reinforced with a flat, block toe, this did not develop until much later in the 19th century. Before this, pointe shoes only gave a small amount of support, stiffening only from a little darning at the back of the toes. Beaumont, The Romantic Ballet 54 Condition: Slightly trimmed, and some light discolouration to margins. Crease to bottom of sheet, slightly encroaching into image. Glue and paper residue to top left corner, not effecting image. |
| Framing | unmounted |
| Price | £900.00 |
| Stock ID | 36698 |