Ghiorgo Zafiropulo Sculptor & Philosopher

Inspired by Nora Kovac, this work dates from 1967 and consists of a plastic interpretation of an archetypal classical dancer. In 1958 the great Hungarian ballerina, married to the dancer Istvan Rabowsky, fled with him to the West in an increadible escape after a performance in East Berlin. She is often represented wearing this voluminus tutu and a film of the INA shows her in the same position as the work by Ghiorgo. But her position is more likely derived from an English book by George Mikes "Leap Through The Curtain" who published a photograph of her in this biography of the couple. It is the exact position which is now immortalised in bronze. She also danced in the ballet "Don Quixote", choreography by Marius Petipa. She was so famous that this depiction of her was used on the lids of powder compacts! Here, unlike most of the other works by Ghiorgo, it is the mythical grace of the ballerina which is celebrated rather than the movement she performs. As is "Manège" the modelling is rougher especially in the treatment of the tutu, reminiscent of Degas, however movements sculpted by Ghiorgo are always more finished that those of Degas.