Bronislava Nijinska

Jean Cocteau (1889-1963). Portrait sketch of Bronislava Nijinska, 1924. Ink. Howard D. Rothschild Collection. pf MS Thr 414.4 (44). Bequest, 1989.

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Portrait sketch by Jean Cocteau of Bronislava Nijinska

Bronislava Nijinska (1891–1972) was the younger sister of Vaslav Nijinsky, Diaghilev’s greatest male dancer. She was a long-time member of Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes, dancing many solo roles. She eventually became the company’s principal choreographer - from which time she was identified in programs as “La Nijinska,” a distinction used for artists of the greatest popularity or distinction.