TAMARA TOUMANOVA Ernest A. Bachrach 1944 Ballerina PORTRAIT #5338

Original 9 1/4 inch x 7 1/4 inch Portrait of ballerina TAMARA TOUMANOVA.
Tamara Toumanova was a prominent Russian American prima ballerina and actress. A child of exiles in Paris after the Russian Revolution of 1917, she made her debut at the age of 10 at the children's ballet of the Paris Opera.
She became known internationally as one of the Baby Ballerinas of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, after being discovered by her fellow émigré, balletmaster and choreographer George Balanchine. She was featured in numerous ballets in Europe. Balanchine also featured her in his productions at Ballet Theatre, New York, making her the star of his performances in the United States. While most of Toumanova's career was dedicated to ballet, she appeared as a ballet dancer in several films, beginning in 1944.

The portrait is by Ernest A. Bachrach (1899 - 1973) with his stamp on the reverse.
One of the most influential Hollywood portrait photographers, Bachrach headed the photographic department at RKO from its inception in 1929 and stayed until Desilu purchased the studio in 1958.

The portrait is in very good condition with a 3/4 inch repaired tear at the bottom edge.