Ida Rubenstein

1909

Jo Davidson (1883-1952)

    Ida Rubenstein, a Russian dancer sculpted here in bronze by Jo Davidson, is depicted in her role as Cleopatra in Michel Fokine’s ballet, performed in the first Paris season of Sergey Diaghilev’s Ballet Russes in 1909. Shown in motion rather than in posed portrait form, Davidson captures Rubinstein with her full stage presence, straying from his usual portrait busts. This sculpture was created while Davidson was studying sculpture at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris, and while it was not a commissioned piece, it did attract the attention of future clients including Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney. Rubenstein was not known for her technical skill, but rather her ability to exponentially increase the drama on the stage, which shines through here even with the extensive drapery that covers her body. With the help of the extensive gold and lapis blue design of the stage and Rubenstein’s expressive nature and ability to amplify the choreography, audience members were transported back in time and were able to experience the drama first hand.

    Davidson’s mastery in recreating Rubenstein with the same amount of intensity that she emitted on stage is similar to that of his other works. He would not have his subject pose, but rather get to know them to be able to represent who they are in addition to what they look like. Although most of his pieces emphasized life-like, intense realism, in his representation of Ida Rubenstein, he prioritized her stage presence above accurately depicting her body. 

Paris, France

Bronze