Tamara Karsavina #255941

She is one of the few amongst the great artists of the dance whose virtuosity is not discussed. It is taken for granted — yet entirely apart from her immense artistry, her technique stands almost alone in its strength and purity. Where many other dancers have made a feature of their technique, hers is entirely subordinated to her genius for dramatic interpretation. I have seen her strike an attitude or suggest a pose in everyday clothes without any of the charitable illusions of the stage. No words can describe the beauty of those movements. They suggest a veritable collection of tanagra figures. Knowing Karsavina it is not easy to keep the personal note out of this study. I have tried to do so, but it is not necessary in this introduction.