Tamara Karsavina, ballet dancer of the Ballets Russes 

This is a portrait of Tamara Karsavina, ballet dancer of the Ballets Russes, by Jacques-Émile Blanche, made with oil on canvas. The painting is a flurry of brushstrokes, Blanche wasn’t trying to make a perfect likeness. Instead, it’s about capturing the vibrant energy of Karsavina, a star of her time. Look at the way the paint is applied – thick and almost sculptural in places, especially in the folds of her shawl and the brim of her hat. The loose brushwork gives it a sense of immediacy, as if the painting was completed in one sitting. This approach reflects a shift away from traditional academic painting, towards a more modern, expressive style. Blanche was part of a generation of artists who were interested in capturing fleeting impressions and emotions, rather than striving for perfect realism. It’s less about laboriously rendering every detail, and more about conveying the spirit of the subject. Ultimately, this painting reminds us that art is as much about the process of making as it is about the finished product.