Vaslav Nijinsky in Scheherazade, 1911

Vaslav Nijinsky, Scheherazade, Russian, Ballet, Opera, Rimsky-Korsakov,
Vaslav Nijinsky in Scheherazade, 1911

Vaslav Nijinsky in Scheherazade, 1911.

Russian dancer Vaslav Nijinsky (1890 – 1950) dancing in the role of the Golden Slave in ‘Scheherazade’. Music by Rimsky-Korsakov, choreography by Mikhail Fokine, designs by Léon Bakst. Photography by Bert, Auguste.

Vaslav Nijinsky in original Polish spelling Waclaw Niżyński was a Polish-born, Russian ballet dancer and choreographer. His contemporaries who saw him dance, were impressed by his ability to transform, his virtuosity, his grace and jumping technique. As was perfectly his ability to seemingly stop jumping in the air (balloon).

His jumps are from today’s point of view not impressive as formidable in its room dimensions, but by the impression of their temporal locking. For the spectator the necessary effort was not visible.

The impression weightless jumps was still silent by his ability and enhances soft landings. To date, the name of Nijinsky is therefore a synonym for perfect dance.

Source: Studies from the Russian ballet, London: The Fine Art Society 1913.
By E.O. Hoppé and Auguste Bert.

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