2 December 2015 Russian Art Auctions
2 December 2015
217.
A Soviet Porcelain Figurine of Galina Ulanova as "Odette" from "Swan Lake"
700-900 GBP
ELENA YANSON-MANIZER, LOMONOSOV STATE PORCELAIN MANUFACTORY, LENINGRAD, 1950s
Height 50 cm.
Depicted in an arabesque, with black manufactory mark.
This portrait of one of the most celebrated dancers of the 20th century was created by the leading sculptor of Soviet ballet, Elena Yanson-Manizer and reproduced in porcelain at the Lomonosov State Manufactory in 1951. Yanson-Manizer first saw the young prima ballerina in 1936 when she danced in «The Fountain of Bakhchisarai» and asked Ulanova to model for her, subsequently creating a figurine “Dancer”. Later in the 1950s Ulanova became Yanson-Manizer’s muse once again resulting in a series of porcelain figurines, Ulanova as “Tao-Hoa” in “Red Flower”, Ulanova as the swan in “Swan Lake”, as Juliet in “Romeo and Juliet” and so on.
The presented figurine of Ulanova as “Odette” became the most famous, and a life-size version executed in bronze occupies pride of place in front of the Museum of Dance, Stockholm.
Recently, for the first time in 40 years, the porcelain manufactory recreated this particular model especially for the Galina Ulanova Foundation.
Notes on symbols:
* Indicates 5% Import Duty Charge applies.
Ω Indicates 20% Import Duty Charge applies.
§ Indicates Artist's Resale Right applies.
† Indicates Standard VAT scheme applies, and the rate of 20% VAT will be charged on both hammer price and premium.