Zéphir

Auguste Vestris|George Cruikshank

1817–19 · Hand-colored lithograph · Drawings and Prints

Based on a French print of 1815 titled "Le doyen des Zéphirs, ou Le roi des voltigeurs" (The Dean of the Zéphirs, or King of Vaulters), this British variation caricatures the aging French male ballet dancer Auguste Vestris. The latter's athleticism had, in his youth, gained him fame throughout Europe. Born in Florence, into a large theatrical family, Vestris joined the Paris Opéra in 1776 and became dancing master to Louis XVI. He lived in London during the French Revolution, returned to Paris in 1793, and became an influential teacher after retiring in 1816. As this satire suggests, Vestris was known for his light pirouettes.

Artist

Auguste Vestris|George Cruikshank

Date

1817–19

Medium

Hand-colored lithograph

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Bequest of Sallie Blumenthal, 2015