Poster advertising Ruth St. Denis and the Denishawn Dancers, 1923

1923

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Dominant colour

Poster advertising Ruth St. Denis and the Denishawn Dancers, 1923 is a 1923 by Transcript Printing Co, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: Transcript Printing Co
When & what style?: 1923
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This poster from 1923 hawks a dance show by Ruth St. Denis and her Denishawn Dancers. Made by Transcript Printing Co., it’s a small piece meant to grab attention fast. It’s a quick window into Denishawn’s mix of global styles. St. Denis fused Egyptian, Indian, and Japanese dance moves into something fresh. Look up the Victoria and Albert Museum to see it.

The story of this work

Overview

The poster features a central black-and-white photograph of Ruth St. Denis in a Javanese-style costume, set against a red background. It advertises her performances with Ted Shawn and the Denishawn Dancers at the Mariarden Theatre in Peterborough, New Hampshire, in August 1923. The design reflects St. Denis’s fascination with global dance traditions, including Egyptian, Indian, and Javanese styles. The poster was produced by Transcript Printing Co. as part of a 1922–25 American tour organized by impresario Daniel Mayer.

Read the full account in the museum source.

About the artist

Artist

Transcript Printing Co

This print studio made bold posters in the 1920s. Their 1923 poster plugs Ruth St. Denis and her Denishawn Dancers, full of sharp angles and bright colors—perfect for grabbing attention on city walls. The design looks…

See the richer artist page