Chabukiani

[rg]

this rather striking portrait of Vakhtang Chabukiani is one i haven't seen before, or at least can't recall seeing before.

it's a little faded out, as i suppose some soviet photos were around this time. it's also undated.

Chabukiani's Solor likely dominated the 1950s, and evidently had a strong influence on nureyev's own performing of the role. this photo shows the dancer leaning on his bow and likely represents the way he looked in the first act.

i esp. like the angled eyebrows beneath the opposing angle of the vestigial turban and, of course, the charismatic gaze.

(the smudge on the bridge of his nose appears to be ink, which may have bled through from another part of the album originally holding the photo.)

[Alexandra]

Him, I could imagine slaying a tiger. Thanks, RG!