Backstage at the Folies-Bergère, Paris

c. 1932

Brassaï

Associated Names
Brassaï

Artist, French, born Transylvania, 1899 - 1984

The image displays a top-down view of three women positioned in a narrow space between two walls. All three women are shown from head to toe, with two of them appearing to be in a kneeling position, while the third woman is sitting against the wall. The woman closest to the viewer seems to be sitting with legs outstretched, and her head is tilted slightly upwards. Her facial features appear soft and her hair is either short or pulled back. The woman behind her is kneeling with her head turned, revealing her profile, and her hair appears longer and possibly curly. The third individual is partially obscured but also seems to be kneeling and turned towards the second woman. They are dressed in lightweight, form-fitting clothing that resembles dance or theatrical costumes. Surrounding them, the walls show signs of wear with peeling paint, and the flooring beneath them appears wooden. A string of lights is vertically placed along one of the walls, casting a glow on the scene.
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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    gelatin silver print

  • Credit Line

    Robert B. Menschel Fund

  • Dimensions

    sheet (trimmed to image): 23.1 x 17.3 cm (9 1/8 x 6 13/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1998.38.1


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

The artist, bequeathed to his wife, Gilberte, Paris, France; on consignment 1997 to (Edwynn Houk Gallery, New York); purchased with donated funds by NGA, 1998.

Associated Names

Inscriptions

center verso in graphite: Les Folie Bergere / (entre deux videaux) / Brassai; center verso: copyright stamp; lower center verso: artist stamp; all by later hands: upper center verso in graphite: 17,5x23; upper right verso in black ink: PL.707; lower right verso in black ink: Page 148; lower right verso in graphite: XX177

Wikidata ID

Q64145477

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