Lithograph of Marie Taglioni in costume for the ballet La Sylphide

Access and use

Location of collection:
George Mason University
2400 Fenwick Library
Special Collections Research Center
Fenwick Library MS2FL
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Mieko Palazzo
Phone: (703) 993-2220
Fax: (703) 993-2669
Restrictions:

There are no access restrictions.

Terms of access:

No known copyright. The Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries believes that this collection is not restricted by copyright or related rights, but a conclusive determination could not be made. (See https://rightsstatements.org/page/NKC/1.0/?language=en)

Preferred citation:

Lithograph of Marie Taglioni in costume for the ballet La Sylphide, C0551, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries

Summary

Extent:
.01 Linear Feet 1 folder
Creator:
Bénard et Frey
Abstract:
Lithograph of Marie Taglioni in costume for the ballet La Sylphide based on the sculpture by Jean-Auguste Barre.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Lithograph of Marie Taglioni in costume for the ballet La Sylphide, C0551, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries

Background

Scope and content:

Lithograph of Marie Taglioni in costume for her most famous role in the ballet La Sylphide based on the contempory bronze sculpture by Jean-Auguste Barre (1811–1896), printed by Bernard & Frey in 1837. The image shows Marie balancing on one foot above a base covered in a bed of flowers and her name appears in full along the front of the base. The initials "M.A." appear at the bottom left of the image, and the name "A. Barre" along the bottom right of the base. The name "Taglioni" is written in pencil at the bottom.

Biographical / historical:

Marie Taglioni was born on April 23, 1804 in Stockholm, Sweden into a family of dancers, including her brother Salvatore who was a dance master in Naples, Italy and her father Filippo, a dancer and choreographer who was also her main dance trainer. Marie made her professional debut in Vienna, Austria in 1822 and rose to fame with her role in the ballet La Sylphide, choreographed by her father, which premiered at the Paris Opéra on March 12, 1832. A dramatic Romantic ballet, La Sylphide tells the story of a young Scottish man who falls in love with a sylph, the role played by Marie, not long before he is to be married. Sadly, when he is finally successful in catching the sylph, she dies, emphasizing the impossibility of love between a human and a spirit.

In this ballet, Marie became the first ballerina to dance en pointe for the work's entirety, accomplished using normal ballet slippers with reinforcements in the block of the slipper, rather than specialized pointe shoes. The technique was used to create the illusion of her sylph character floating across the stage, providing a stronger visual contrast to the movement of the Scottish man pursuing her. Additionally, the fitted bodice and airy, bell-like skirt worn as part of her costume became the prototype for the traditional tutu worn by ballet dancers for over a century. Marie remained active as a dancer, instructor, and choreographer for the next 40 years before she passed away in Marseille, France in April 1884 at the age of 79.

Acquisition information:
Purchased from Schubertiade Music by Lynn Eaton in March 2025.
Processing information:

Processing completed by Meghan Glasbrenner in April 2026. Finding aid completed by Meghan Glasbrenner in May 2026.

Arrangement:

This is a single item collection.

Physical location:
R 73, C 2, S 4
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard