Tina Modotti (Italian, 1896-1942). Portrait of Keith Coppage (three photographs), 1928. Gelatin silver. 9-1/2 x 7-1/4 in... (Total: 3 Items)

Description

Tina Modotti (Italian, 1896-1942)
Portrait of Keith Coppage (three photographs), 1928
Gelatin silver
9-1/2 x 7-1/4 inches (24.1 x 18.4 cm) (largest)
Each signed lower right recto.


Keith Coppage's acquaintance with Tina Modotti may have come from their association with Ione Robinson who moved to Mexico City while Modotti was working with Diego Rivera on murals of the National Palace.

In an article published in the San Antonio Express on November 5, 1933: "Mexico City. Keith Coppage, University of Texas graduate and a native Texan, has achieved distinction as a professional dancer in Mexico, and as a student of the dance. Her last public recital in Mexico City, given in September, was widely applauded by critics as well as the large audience which filled the Hidalgo Theater here. The dancer (who in private life is Mrs. Eyler Simpson) is now in the United States perfecting her technique and taking advanced courses in her art. Her husband, Eyler Simpson, is a well known economist and sociologist, also a graduate of the University of Texas, and representative in Mexico of the Guggenheim Foundation and the Committee on Cultural Relations with Latin America. Mrs. Simpson began her career with the Chicago Civic Opera Company as a soloist and later danced in the Carroll Ballet here. She toured Mexico [and South America] with the Pavley Oukrainsky ballet seven years ago. Keith Coppage is of the modernistic dance school which seeks pure emotion of line, divorced from academic conventionalisms."

The photograph of Keith Coppage standing holding her veil was published in "La Nacional," Mexico City in 1933 with a caption that loosely translated indicates Keith Coppage, a modern dancer just recently made a successful tour of her work in the United States. The Mexican poems and music of maestro Gomezanda have been masterfully interpreted and her triumph, both personal and professional, have served to highlight the music's beauty.

More information about Tina Modotti. See also: Modotti, Tina, Modotti, Assunta Luigia, Assunta Adelaide Luigia Artist.

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