The 1904 Richard Strauss opera Salome, itself based on a German translation of the 1891 Oscar Wilde play, Salomé (written in French to side-step British censorship), has been identified, along with French colonial interests in Africa and Asia, as one possible influence in the development of the oriental dance costume of La Belle Époque.
We here at Red Poulaine have worked very hard to find the most stunning vintage images we can, often spending many hours on any given day in this search. The temptation to hoard the most beautiful images for ourselves was actually the start of this collection, but we find our need to share these images overwhelms that impulse. Lucky you! Because this means that we are opening up a collection that, although small, may just be the most concentrated grouping of Art Nouveau femme fatales inspired by the opera Salome currently available.
And now, for the first time all together on one stage, and with no further ado, we bring you: the Songs of Salome.
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| Hedwig Reicher as Salome, circa 1905 |
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| Mary-Hett with Tiger Skin, Belle Epoque Artiste in Art Nouveau Costume, circa 1900 |
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| Dina Van-Brandt, Belle Epoque Artise in Art Nouveau Costume, circa 1905 |
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| Les Bijoux, Decorative Art Nouveau Image from Popular French Series, circa 1905 |
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| Louise Mante in Art Nouveau Costume, circa 1900 |
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| French Dancer Margot Dervilliers in Costume Orientale, circa 1905 |
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| Margot Dervilliers in Sheer Art Nouveau Dance Costume |
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| French Artiste Laparcerie in Classic Art Nouveau Headress circa 1900 |
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| Art Nouveau Flowered Headdress circa 1900 |
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| French Artiste D'Alencon in Fantastic Art Nouveau Headress circa 1900 |
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| Mata Hari's Arch Rival Suzy Deguez circa 1905 by Paul Boyer |
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| Frau Von Hochenburger, Jugendstil Epoche German Artiste, circa 1900 |
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| French Artiste Girard in Classical Art Nouveau Costume with Cameo Headdress circa 1905 |
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| Gerda Walde, Viennese Opera Singer in flowered Jugenstil Epoche Headdress, circa 1905 |
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| Parisian Dancer Hagino in Costume Orientale, circa 1905 |
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| Gorgeous Art Nouveau Card Featuring Heglon and Madia in Headdresses circa 1905 |
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| Mme. Heglon, Opera Star in Gorgeous Art Nouveau Headdress, circa 1900 |
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| Opera Diva L. Preusser in Costume for Konig Niccolo, circa 1905 |
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| La Floramye and Partenaire, circa 1905 |
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| Walery Image of Charming French Dancer in Costume Orientale, circa 1905 |
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| Mlle Lippson at the Cigale, in Hand-Tinted Art Nouveau Costume, circa 1905 |
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| Lise Fleuron, French Stage Performer, circa 1900 |
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| Lise Fleuron, French Stage Performer in Costume, circa 1900 |
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| Lotte Sarrow, Actress of the Jugendstil Epoche, as Salome, circa 1905 |
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| Louise Blot at the Olympia Theater in Berlin, circa 1905 |
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| Lucy Gerard, French Stage Actress in Art Nouveau Costume, circa 1905 |
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| Mlle. Margyll, Belle Epoque Artiste in Fabulous Art Nouveau Headdress, circa 1905 |
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| Mila Davire in Art Nouveau Headdress with Poppies, circa 1905 |
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| Miri Voclesca Danseuse Bohemienne circa 1905 by Louis Martin |
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| Myrta Forenza in Classical Art Nouveau Costume, circa 1905 |
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| Stacia Napierkowska Russian Star of French Silent Film circa 1910s/20s |
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| Nina Barkis in Wonderful Art Nouveau Costume Orientale, circa 1905 |
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| Very Cute Young Woman in Art Nouveau Dance Costume, circa 1905 |
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| Lovely Artiste with Sweet Smile in Art Nouveau Dance Costume. |
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| La Belle Otero in Danse Orientale Costume circa 1905 |
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| Image of Salome circa 1910 |
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| Head Shot of Opera Diva Louise Mante in Gorgeous Art Nouveau Jewelry, circa 1900 |
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| Regina Badet in Marvelous Belle Epoque Dance Costume, circa 1905 |
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| Hedwig Reicher as Salome in Hand-Colored Image circa 1905 |
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| Sjemile Fatme, Odalisque to the Sultan, circa 1910 |
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| Cecile Sorel in Art Nouveau Costume, circa 1905 |
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| Mlle. Spinelli in Art Nouveau Dance Costume circa 1905 |
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| Ruth St. Radhjah, Belle Epoque Dancer and Adventuress in Meditative Pose |
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| Mlle. Suquez in Classical Art Nouveau Costume with Lyre |
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| Hand-Tinted Image of Charming Young Artiste in Art Nouveau Headdress circa 1905 |
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| Cute Belle Epoque Artiste in the Ubiquitous Peacock Crown, circa 1900 |
All postcards in this post are available for sale in the Red Poulaine shop on Etsy.
