Isadora Duncan 1904

Robert Henri made this drawing of Isadora Duncan with graphite on paper. Duncan was an American dancer who was popular in Europe and the United States in the early 20th century. In this loose sketch, Duncan’s flowing gown and expressive pose capture her innovative dance style. Duncan sought to reclaim dance as an art form, drawing inspiration from classical Greek art and nature. In contrast to the rigid conventions of classical ballet, Duncan emphasized freedom, emotion, and the natural movements of the body. Duncan’s approach resonated with progressive ideals of the time, challenging social norms and conventions regarding women’s roles and artistic expression. To understand this drawing fully, we would want to research the cultural context of early modern dance and its relationship to broader social and artistic movements. The meaning of art is contingent on its social and institutional context, and the historian’s role is to bring that context to light.