Robin Craig GUTHRIE, RP, NEAC (British, 1902-1971)
The Sleeping Beauty
Sanguine and black pencil drawing on paper
Signed 'Robin Guthrie' lower right
Image size: 35.4 x 47.9 cm (14 x 18¾ in)
Framed size: 53.8 x 65.2 cm (21¼ x 25¾ in)
Priced at £1,800
See commentary below and Biography

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The Art of Ballet

What we now refer to as classical ballet first became accepted as a serious dramatic art form, on a par with opera, during the second half of the 18thC when its nature was codified, its techniques were evolved or created anew, and rigorous training, discipline and physicality were demanded of its students.

It continued to evolve well into the 19thC by which time it was a hugely popular form of entertainment. Unsurprisingly perhaps, the discipline required to create such beauty, grace and elegance on stage appealed to the leading artists of the day and was much celebrated in the works of the French Impressionists, Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919), Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901) and particularly Edgar Degas (1834-1917).

It is commonly acknowledged that it was Degas who really brought the world of ballet, in all its sophisticated beauty, into the public realm. Indeed, it is interesting to note that over half of his life's artistic output portrays dancers.

An outstanding draughtsman, Degas not only had the ability to 'capture' the movement of dance in his work but he also chose to depict his subjects in what would previously have been considered highly unconventional, even unsuitable, ways - showing dancers in rehearsal, backstage, exercising, or on-stage but painted from unusual angles.

Having paved the way for future artistic generations, The Sleeping Beauty by the acclaimed British portraitist Robin Craig Guthrie (Member of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters and the New English Art Club) is an excellent example of the “off-duty, off-guard” poses that Degas had succeeded in making so publicly acceptable and sought after. Enigmatically captured either relaxing prior to a performance or in an exhausted yet peaceful moment post performance, Guthrie's sensibility as both an artist and genuine admirer of ballet, shines through in this delightful portrayal.

In addition to the work's artistic merits, The Sleeping Beauty may also be historically interesting as it has been suggested that it depicts the internationally famous Scottish ballet dancer and actress, Moira Shearer (1926-2006) whom Guthrie portrayed in c.1946 in a portrait which hangs in the National Portrait Gallery, London.

Moira Shearer by Robin Craig Guthrie (c.1946) © National Portrait Gallery, London	The Red Shoes (1948) Original film poster © Unknown

Born in Dunfermline, Scotland, Shearer made her debut with the International Ballet in 1941 before moving to the Sadler's Wells Ballet in 1942. But it was in 1948 that she achieved worldwide fame (as well as helping bring the Sadler's Wells Ballet to international attention) with her role as Victoria Page, the doomed heroine, in the film The Red Shoes, which is often referred to as the most popular film ever made about ballet.  

Best wishes

CHRIS NOEL-JOHNSON
ALBANY FINE ART

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