Kschessinska Collection

Matilda Kschessinska as Princess Aspicia in the ballet "The Pharaoh's Daughter" by Marius Petipa and Cesare Pugni, 1900. Found in the collection of the State Central A

Matilda Kschessinska in the title role of the ballet La Esmeralda, 1899-1900. Found in the collection of the State Central A. Bakhrushin Theatre Museum, Moscow

Portrait of the Ballet dancer Matilda Kschessinska, 1890s. Creator: Anonymous
Portrait of the Ballet dancer Matilda Kschessinska, 1890s. Private Collection

Matilda Kschessinska as Esmeralda in the Ballet "La Esmeralda" by C. Pugni und J. Perrot, 1906-1911. Private Collection

Mathilde Kschessinska, 1902-1905. Private Collection

Mathilde Kschessinska (1872-1971), 1916. Artist: Bulla, Karl Karlovich (1853-1929)
Mathilde Kschessinska (1872-1971), 1916. Private Collection

Matilda Kschessinska in the title role of the ballet La Esmeralda Artist: Anonymous
Matilda Kschessinska in the title role of the ballet La Esmeralda. Found in the collection of State Museum of Theatre and Music, St Petersburg

Matilda Kschessinska as Princess Aspicia in the ballet The Pharaohs Daughter Artist: Anonymous
Matilda Kschessinska as Princess Aspicia in the ballet The Pharaohs Daughter. Found in the collection of State Museum of Theatre and Music, St Petersburg

Portrait of the Prima ballerina Mathilde Kschessinska (1872-1971), 1912
Portrait of the Prima ballerina Mathilde Kschessinska (1872-1971)

Mathilde Kschessinska, Russian prima ballerina, with her son, Volodya, 1910. A ballerina of Polish origin, Mathilde Kschessinska (1872-1971)

Mathilde Kschessinskaya
Russian prima ballerina, Mathilda-Marie Feliksovna Kschessinskaya. Date: 1913

For sale as Licensed Images

Choose your image, Select your licence and Download the media

Kschessinska, born Mathilde Kschessinska in 1872, was a renowned Russian ballerina and mistress to several members of the Russian imperial family. Known for her incredible talent and beauty, she captivated audiences with her performances at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg. Despite facing many challenges throughout her career, including political turmoil and personal scandals, Kschessinska remained dedicated to her art and continued to dance until well into her later years. Her legacy as one of the greatest ballerinas of all time lives on through the countless dancers who have been inspired by her grace and skill. In addition to her dancing abilities, Kschessinska was also known for her relationships with Grand Dukes and even Tsar Nicholas II himself. Her love affairs were often scandalous but only added to her mystique as a powerful woman who knew what she wanted. Today, Kschessinska is remembered not only for her contributions to ballet but also for breaking barriers as a strong-willed woman in a male-dominated society. Her story serves as a reminder that passion and determination can lead to greatness no matter the obstacles faced along the way.