portrait in La Bayadere

[ronny]

There is a portrait of a woman that is present throughout scene 2 (act 1) in the rajah's palace. This is the scene in which the high priest reveals to the rajah that Solor has made a secret vow to Nikiya.

This portrait seems to play a big role in the scene, but I can't figure out who it is or what it has to do with the plot. Can you give me a hint on it? Thanks.

[cargill]

In the ABT production, it is a portrait of Solor, and Gamzatti shows it to Nikiya (or rather rubs her face in it!) to prove to her that Solor is engaged to Gamzatti and that Nikiya should just go away.

[ronny]

thanks Cargill, that seems to fit. I am watching a video by the Royal Ballet Company and I just viewed the scene again and it does fit.

Wow!, I would have never guessed that this was a mans portrait with the shape of the figure and the low cut V neck garb, but it does fit the plot and the gestures in the scene, so that must be it.