- 10
Jean-Auguste Barre French, 1811-1896
bidding is closed
Description
- Jean-Auguste Barre
- Fanny Elssler
- signed: A. Barre fct 1836 and entitled: FANNY ELSSLER with metal plaque inscribed A. BARRE
- plaster
Catalogue Note
'One of the most successful attempts to have been made in miniature sculpture has been inspired by the loveliest of all ballerinas who have ever trodden the boards of the Opera'. (Théophile Gautier, La Charte de 1830, November 1836).
Barre has shown Elssler in her most famous role, dancing the Cachucha, the stylised Spanish dance, inserted into the ballet Le Diable boiteux. In the winter of 1836 Elssler was seriously ill and there was much concern for her life. It seems possible that this may have motivated Barre to produce his model of the ballerina.
Barre has shown Elssler in her most famous role, dancing the Cachucha, the stylised Spanish dance, inserted into the ballet Le Diable boiteux. In the winter of 1836 Elssler was seriously ill and there was much concern for her life. It seems possible that this may have motivated Barre to produce his model of the ballerina.