Use Restrictions

Public Domain. There are no known restrictions.

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Laurent Novikoff photograph, C0470, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Acqusitions Information

Purchased by Steve Gerber from Schubertiade Music on January 26, 2010.

Processing Information

Processing completed by Amanda Brent in March 2021. EAD markup completed by Amanda Brent in March 2021. This item was formerly part of the Performing Arts Manuscript Materials collection, C0215.

Biographical Information

Laurent Novikoff, born Lavrentiy Lavrentievich Novikov, was a Russian ballet dancer and choreographer. Born in 1888 in Moscow, Novikoff rose through the Russian ballet ranks to eventually become the first dancer of the Moscow Imperial Ballet in 1908 at the age of twenty. During this time Novikoff became well-known as the frequent dancer partner of the famed Anna Pavlova, and often accompanied her on her dance tours. In 1919, Novikoff joined the Ballets Russes, but eventually returned to dance with Pavlova in 1921. Novikoff danced for a few years more, but eventually immigrated to the United States where he began his dance master and choreography career. In 1929 he became ballet master for the Chicago Civic Opera Company, and eventually served in the same role at the Metropolitan Opera beginning in 1941. While in Chicago during the 1930s, Novikoff operated his own dance studio, the Laurent Novikoff Dance Arts Studio. Novikoff eventually retired and passed away in New Buffalo, MI in 1956.

Scope and Content

Black and white matted photograph of Laurent Novikoff, taken by Blake Studios of London, England, circa 1910s. The photograph features Novikoff staring directly into camera in Orientalist costume, arms crossed. The photograph is inscribed and signed by Novikoff - it reads "With best wishes from Laurent Novikoff[.]'" The matte includes the Blake Studios stamp, including its address, which is also included on the verso. The verso also features an inscription reading "Laurent Novikoff/ b. Moscow 1888 d. USA 1956./ Russian dancer and choreographer, /ballet master."

Arrangement

This is a single item collection.

Related Material

The Special Collections Research Center also holds the Ernst Oppler illustrations of Anna Pavlova in 'The Dying Swan' and many other materials related to ballet.

The National Portrait Gallery of London, England holds the Laurent Novikoff by Blake Studios matte bromide postcard print, which appears to be from the same series of photographs as this photograph.

Dickinson College Archives & Special Collections holds the Laurent Novikoff brochure.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Ballet
• Ballets russes
• Novikoff, Laurent