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PH1759
Photographs: PH1759
Title
Olga Knipper-Chekhova as Frau Gihle
Subject
Date
1911
Dimensions
height: 14cm
width: 8.5cm
width: 8.5cm
Provenance
Presented by Michael Gaunt, September 2023.
Other number
E0146
This postcard depicts Olga Knipper-Chekhova in the role of Frau Gihle in Knut Hamsun's play 'In the Grip of Life'.
Knipper-Chekhova was an early member of the Moscow Art Theatre (MAT), which was formed in 1898. The actor Konstantin Stanislavski and his co-founder, the writer and drama teacher, Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenko, wanted to break away from the state-run theatres, bring back high standards and professionalism in acting, and strive towards emotional truth and realism in their performances. Norwegian playwright Knut Hamsun wrote ‘In the Grip of Life’ in 1910 and it was performed by the Moscow Art Theatre in 1911. It was directed by Konstantine "Kote" Marjanishvili, a Georgian theatre director working for MAT.
The play examines themes of betrayal, power dynamics, female agency and repression by following the love affairs of a former variety singer named Juliane Gihle.
Chekhova is depicted in three-quarter length and standing facing the right. She wears a long, wide-sleeved dress with black trim and embroidery detail. In her left hand she holds a white handkerchief, and she looks towards the camera. This is possibly a reference to a scene in Act IV where she dabs her face with a handkerchief.
The postcard was published by A. A. Gorozhankin, Moscow.
Knipper-Chekhova was an early member of the Moscow Art Theatre (MAT), which was formed in 1898. The actor Konstantin Stanislavski and his co-founder, the writer and drama teacher, Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenko, wanted to break away from the state-run theatres, bring back high standards and professionalism in acting, and strive towards emotional truth and realism in their performances. Norwegian playwright Knut Hamsun wrote ‘In the Grip of Life’ in 1910 and it was performed by the Moscow Art Theatre in 1911. It was directed by Konstantine "Kote" Marjanishvili, a Georgian theatre director working for MAT.
The play examines themes of betrayal, power dynamics, female agency and repression by following the love affairs of a former variety singer named Juliane Gihle.
Chekhova is depicted in three-quarter length and standing facing the right. She wears a long, wide-sleeved dress with black trim and embroidery detail. In her left hand she holds a white handkerchief, and she looks towards the camera. This is possibly a reference to a scene in Act IV where she dabs her face with a handkerchief.
The postcard was published by A. A. Gorozhankin, Moscow.
