Femina (July 1, 1909). Photo Cover with Ida Rubinstein as "Cleopatra." Russian Season in Paris.
“Born in Kharkiv, Ukraine into a wealthy Jewish family, Rubinstein was orphaned at an early age. She had, by the standard of Russian ballet, little formal training. Tutored by Mikhail Fokine, she made her debut in 1908. This was a single private performance of Oscar Wilde's Salomé, in which she stripped nude in the course of the 'Dance of the Seven Veils'.
“Sergei Diaghilev took her with the Ballets Russes and she danced the title role of 'Cléopâtre' in the Paris season of 1909, and Zobéide in 'Scheherazade' in 1910. Both ballets were choreographed by Fokine, and designed by Léon Bakst. Her partner in 'Scheherazade' was the great Nijinsky…
“Rubinstein is not considered to be in the top tier of ballerinas; she began her training too late for that to have been a possibility. She did, however, have tremendous stage presence and was able to act. She was also a significant patron and she tended to commission works that suited her abilities, works that mixed dance with drama and stagecraft.” [Source: Wikipedia]
Femina (July 1, 1909). Photo Cover with Ida Rubinstein as "Cleopatra." Russian Season in Paris.
“Born in Kharkiv, Ukraine into a wealthy Jewish family, Rubinstein was orphaned at an early age. She had, by the standard of Russian ballet, little formal training. Tutored by Mikhail Fokine, she made her debut in 1908. This was a single private performance of Oscar Wilde's Salomé, in which she stripped nude in the course of the 'Dance of the Seven Veils'.
“Sergei Diaghilev took her with the Ballets Russes and she danced the title role of 'Cléopâtre' in the Paris season of 1909, and Zobéide in 'Scheherazade' in 1910. Both ballets were choreographed by Fokine, and designed by Léon Bakst. Her partner in 'Scheherazade' was the great Nijinsky…
“Rubinstein is not considered to be in the top tier of ballerinas; she began her training too late for that to have been a possibility. She did, however, have tremendous stage presence and was able to act. She was also a significant patron and she tended to commission works that suited her abilities, works that mixed dance with drama and stagecraft.” [Source: Wikipedia]