Dame Laura Knight R.A. R.W.S, 1877-1975. British School 20th.Century. Pencil study of Lydia Lopokova (1892-1981), in the role of Mariuccia from the ballet 'The Good Humoured Ladies'. Signed lower right. Circa.1918. 19cm x 26cm, 42cm x 50cm including frame).
The Dress Lopokova wears in this drawing, was designed by Leon Bakst and is now in the Collection of The Victoria and Albert Museum (S.148&A-1985) created in 1917 for her role in Serge Diaghilev’s Ballets Russe production of 'The Good Humoured Ladies' (premiered under the Italian title 'Le Donne di Buon Umore'). A one Act comic ballet choreographed by Léonide Massine to music by Domenico Scarlatti and based on the play by Carlo Goldoni. The Ballet was first performed in London in 1918 with Lopokova's playful high spirited acting in the role, establishing her as the leading "demi-caractère" ballerina of her day. It was in London that she met her future husband the economist John Maynard Keynes and through him other members of the Bloomsbury Group. Following Keynes declining health in the 1930's She largely withdrew from public performance.
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