Pavlova

Alfred David Lenz

1916 · Bronze · The American Wing

The Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova (1881–1931) first performed The Dragonfly in New York in February 1915. Although she did pose for this sculpture, another source for Lenz may have been the innovative publicity photographs of the dancer that conveyed an enhanced effect of suspended animation. The sculptor created a similar illusion in this jewel-like statuette by using the drapery as a structural support, allowing the delicate winged figure to soar above the base.

Artist

Alfred David Lenz

Date

1916

Medium

Bronze

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1920