Edward Gordon Craig, Four Lithographs Depicting His Mistress, Modern Dancer Isadora Duncan

A group of lithographs by British artist Edward Gordon Craig (1872-1966), from the limited edition printed series "Isadora Duncan: Sechs Bewegungsstudien" [trans: "Isadora Duncan: Six Motion Studies"] Leipzig, Germany: Insel-Verlag, 1906. The lithographs are signed in stone as "1905 / EGC s / P" and three of the four lithographs have matching mats gilt-embossed with Craig's initials. One of the lithographs is labeled in part verso, "Edward Gordon Craig: / (b. 1872 - d. 196?) / 'Isadora Duncan Dancing' / Leipzig, 1905 / 11 inches x 7 3/4 inches / Purchased 1958 NYC." Three of the lithographs appear to be vintage; the smaller one may be a high-quality offset lithograph after Craig. Expected wear including scattered foxing. One of the larger mats is water-stained along the left edge. The size of the larger lithographs is 14" x 17" while the smaller print is 12.375" x 14.625."

The lithographs are based on original drawings which Craig made of Duncan's performances in Breslau, Germany in March 1905. In Craig's series, Isadora Duncan is shown dancing in the improvisational modern style that she made famous. Duncan eschewed the rigors and inflexibility of academic ballet. She danced in loose-fitting garments, mostly Grecian tunics, and with her bare feet. Each of the six studies is named after the composer whose music Duncan was dancing to (for example, one study is called "Beethoven," another "Gluck.")

Edward Gordon Craig was the illegitimate son of celebrated Shakespearean actress Ellen Terry. A print maker who received instruction from William Nicholson, Craig is also known as an actor, director, stage designer, and art theoretician. He began an affair with American modern dancer Isadora Duncan (1877-1927) in 1904; their daughter Deidre was born in 1906 and drowned in the Seine in a car accident in 1913.

Auction returns for Edward Gordan Craig's lithographs from the 1906 first edition are impressive; in 1998, a complete edition of six lithographs sold in New York City for 6,000 Euros.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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