LINDSAY, Sir DARYL (1889-1976)

"Tatiana Riabouchinska (Ballet Russes)" (1938) 
pastel
47 x 36.5cm
Signed lower left
*exhibited at His Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne, 1938
*exhibited at Preece's Gallery in Adelaide, 1939
*private collection, Sydney
 
Sir Ernest Daryl Lindsay was an important Australian Artist, writer & teacher. He was a member of the famous Lindsay dynasty alongside brothers Norman & Lionel, and was the director of the National Gallery of Victoria in 1941.  He was commissioned by The Herald newspaper to illustrate a series of articles by English writer Arnold Haskell about the 'Ballet Russes' tour of 1936-37. Tatiana Riabouchinska (1917-2000) was an iconic Russian ballerina, and leading force behind Wassily de Basil's famous touring troupe "Ballet Russes" in the 1930-40s. Alongside Tamara Toumanova & Irina Baronova, collectively known as the "Baby Ballerinas", they were muses to countless influential artists, including Dali, Picasso and even Walt Disney. In fact, Riabouchinska was the primary muse for ostrich ballerina 'Miss Upanova' in Disney's 'Fantasia' (1940). She was also greatly admired by Hitler & Goebbels, who sent cards and bouquets of flowers to her two-three times a week during World War II.

This pastel study was most likely completed during a performance of "Les Syphides", and is reminiscent of the work of Edgar Degas. It was likely exhibited at His Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne in 1938 & Preece's Gallery in Adelaide in 1939. The sketches were published in a monograph catalogue & were exhibited in the theatre foyers of ballet performances in Melbourne & Sydney. A retrospective of Lindsay's work 'Daryl Lindsay: En Pointe' recently concluded at Art Gallery Of Ballarat featuring several of his Ballet Russes' sketches!!