Description: Prima ballerina assoluta Margot Fonteyn (1919-1991) penned a brief inscription and signed this photo of herself striking a delicate pose dressed as Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty.

 

Fonteyn began dancing at age four and was invited to join the Vic-Wells Ballet School at fourteen. She became prima ballerina of the company only two years later. She worked extensively with Sir Frederick Ashton, the choreographer, and danced with Robert Helpmann and Michael Somes, though she is perhaps best known for her frequent partnership with Rudolf Nureyev. She was appointed prima ballerina assoluta of the Royal Ballet by Queen Elizabeth II in 1979.

 

Photograph taken by the Maurice Seymour studio in Chicago. 5 ½” x 3 3/8”. Item #A00930.

 

Condition: Fine condition.