Barbette (Primary Title)
Man Ray, American, 1890 - 1976 (Artist)
Barbette (1899–1973), who was born Vander Clyde in Round Rock, Texas, was an American trapeze artist who captivated international audiences in the 1920s and 1930s with her gender fluidity and skills in aerial ballet. Barbette moved to Paris in 1923 and made her European debut at the Folies Bergère. In July 1926, Jean Cocteau published an extended article entitled “Le Numéro Barbette” in the Nouvelle Revue Française, accompanied by Man Ray’s backstage portraits of the drag performer. The photographs documented with great sensitivity Barbette’s physical transformation into a female persona through makeup and a blonde wig. Barbette performed her high-wire routine in full drag with the audience completely unaware that they were watching a man until she took off her wig at the end of the performance.
triple matted
Arthur and Margaret Glasgow Endowment
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum "RROSE IS RROSE IS RROSE:
GENDER PERFORMANCE IN PHOTOGRAPHY, January 17 -- April 16, 1997
Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris
L'Ecole de Paris
29 November 2000-11 March 2001
Man Ray: The Paris Years, VMFA, October 30, 2021 – February 21, 2022
GENDER PERFORMANCE IN PHOTOGRAPHY, January 17 -- April 16, 1997
Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris
L'Ecole de Paris
29 November 2000-11 March 2001
Man Ray: The Paris Years, VMFA, October 30, 2021 – February 21, 2022
Some object records are not complete and do not reflect VMFA's full and current knowledge. VMFA makes routine updates as records are reviewed and enhanced.
