Research Catalog

Details

Found in

1. Alexandra Danilova collection.

Description

1. 1 drawing : watercolor, color; 23 x 14 cm.

Summary

1. Costume design for the role of Zora in La gitana. She wears a laced bodice with elbow-length sleeves; more lacing decorates her calf-length, bell-shaped skirt. A veil hangs from her headpiece. Although the colors in this drawing have apparently faded, the fabric of her bodice and skirt bear a design of flowers.

Alternative title

1. Alexandra Danilova collection. Graphics.

Subject

1. Nathalie, Mlle, 1816-1885. - [Browse in index]
2. Entertainers -- France -- Paris -- 19th century. - [Browse in index]

Genre/Form

1. Costume design drawings.

Call number

1. *MGZGD Anon Nat 1

Language

1. French

Note

1. At upper right: 1278.
2. Title from the hand-colored engraving made from this drawing, a copy of which is held by the Bibliothèque Nationale de France.

Source (note)

1. Alexandra Danilova.

Biography (note)

1. La gitana, a vaudeville in three acts by Laurencin and Desvergers, was presented at the Théâtre du Gymnase in Paris in 1839. This costume is identified on the engraving as the first of Zora's two costumes in the third act.
2. The French actress Nathalie Martel, called Mlle. Nathalie, was born in Tournan, and made her stage debut in Paris at the Théâtre de la Porte-Sainte-Martin. She won her first great success in La fille de l'air at the Folies Dramatiques in 1837, and was engaged by the Théâtre du Gymnase, where she again won notice in L'ange ou sixième étage in 1838. She was a popular performer at the Gymnase, appearing in La gitana and other plays, and crowned her triumphal career at the Comédie française.
3. This drawing is the original of a hand-colored engraving published by the firm of Hautecoeur-Martinet as no. 1278 in the Petite galerie dramatique, a collection of prints by various artists, depicting Parisian performers in costumes from popular theatrical works. Nos. 1274, 1275, and 1276 also portray Mlle. Nathalie as Zora, wearing costumes from different acts of La gitana. In the copy of the print held by the Bibliothèque Nationale de France, the pattern on her dress differs, consisting of alternating rows of red and white leaves (?) on a deep pink background. In the drawing, Mlle. Nathalie crosses her left leg over her right as though stepping out; in the engraving she stands firmly on both feet.

Linking entry (note)

1. Forms part of the Alexandra Danilova collection. Graphics.

Local note

1. Cataloging funds provided by Friends of Jerome Robbins Dance Division.

Source

1. Gift; Alexandra Danilova.

Added author

1. Danilova, Alexandra, 1903-1997, donor.