Mlle Mourawieff; Melle Mourawieff et Aline dans Giselle 1863

"Mlle Mourawieff; Melle Mourawieff et Aline dans Giselle," created in 1863 by renowned photographer André-Adolphe-Eugène Disdéri, showcases the innovative use of the carte de visite format. This albumen print, housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, depicts two dancers, Mlle Mourawieff and Aline, in various poses from the ballet "Giselle." The image, composed in a series of six distinct frames, captures the fluidity and grace of their movements, demonstrating Disdéri's mastery of capturing motion in still photography. This work exemplifies the growing popularity of photography in documenting theatrical performances and the burgeoning art of ballet in 19th-century France.