Accession Number
1996/2.8

Title
Ballet International

Artist(s)
Philippe Halsman

Artist Nationality
American (North American)

Object Creation Date
1944

Medium & Support
gelatin silver print on paper

Dimensions
10 1/16 in x 8 1/8 in (25.56 cm x 20.64 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Hans Neukomm

Label copy
Philippe Halsman worked extensively for magazines and contributed numerous images, particularly to "Life" magazine. Although his work was widely published, there has not been extensive written critical work on his photography.

Subject matter
Phillippe Halsman often portrayed ballerinas and dance in his work. He also photographed celebrities, dancers, and other subjects jumping in the air. This image hybridizes these interests, showing a ballerina leaping into the air, her legs crossed over one another, arms in fifth position. She wears a blouse and shorts, likely an outfit she wore for practice. The backdrop is a blank wall, the floor and trim barely visible at the bottom.

Physical Description
This photograph shows a ballerina leaping into the air with her arms above her head, in fifth position, toes pointed, and ankles crossed. 

Primary Object Classification
Photograph

Collection Area
Photography

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
Figures
ballet (discipline)
ballet dancers
ballet slippers
dancers
modern and contemporary art
women (female humans)