Laura Knight R.A., R.W.S., R.E., R.W.A., P.S.W.A. 1877-1972

STRUCTURE: Unlined. SURFACE: The surface appears in good condition, stable with thick impasto. It appears slightly dirty and may benefit from a light clean. UV LIGHT: Under UV speckled retouchings appear on the legs, dress and a few on the head dress and face, also to the lower third and to the right of the arm. COLOUR COMPARISON: Colours are slightly darker and have more yellow than the catalogue illustration suggests.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Tamara Karsavina was born on March 10th 1885, daughter of the dancer Platon Karsavin.  Her rare talent was evident from an early age and she graduated from the Imperial Ballet School before becoming a prima ballerina in the Tsar's Ballet.

In 1910 she joined Sergei Diaghilev's Ballet Russe and it was in March that year that The Firebird premiered in Paris.   Diaghilev initially intended the score to be written by Anatol Liadov but his progress was slow so he commissioned Igor Stravinsky instead.  The ballet was choreographed by Mikhail Mikhailovich Fokin and  received huge acclaim in Paris before transferring to London.

The story of Firebird is based on Russian Folktales and revolves around Prince Ivan who travels to the fantastical kingdom of Kashchei the Immortal.  Ivan captures the Firebird who agrees to assist him in exchange for eventual freedom.  She bewitches their enemies with the intoxicating 'Infernal Dance'. 

Karsavina performed with The Imperial Russian Ballet at Covent Garden in 1911 where The Times review proclaimed,
'The Russian Ballet provides us with a new and enchanting pleasure...their technique is exquisite...Russian Ballet-dancing never escapes from its subjection of ideas - to artistic ideas, conceived at a high pitch of emotional intelligence.' (Janet Dunbar, Laura Knight, Collins 1975)