The Fokine Era

Troy Kinney (1871-1938). Etching of Michel Fokine and Vera Fokina in Le Spectre de la Rose, 1921. pf *2006MT-142. Purchased with the Howard D. Rothschild Fund, 2006.

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Etching of Michel Fokine and Vera Fokina in Le Spectre de la Rose

Although Le Spectre de la Rose was closely identified with its original exponents, Tamara Karsavina and Vaslav Nijinsky, its choreographer, Michel Fokine, and his wife, Vera Fokina, were also to make it very much their own.

The American artist Troy Kinney was devoted to dance, and he captured in atmospheric etchings a number of dancers of the early twentieth century, including Anna Pavlova, Doris Niles, and Ruth St. Denis, as well as this somewhat fanciful representation of Fokine and Fokina. The graceful athleticism of the Spectre, especially as danced by Nijinsky, became legendary as an iconic moment for the Ballets Russes. The scene depicted in this print was, of course, even beyond the actual abilities of Nijinsky, Fokine, Karsavina, or Fokina.