Ballerinas have changed quite a bit over the last century. Compare the photos below. On the left is Margot Fonteyn of the Royal Ballet as Aurora from Sleeping Beauty, circa 1955. On the right is Tamara Rojo, also of the Royal Ballet, striking the same arabesque in the same role, but in recent years.

Ballerinas always look a bit chunkier in old pictures. Although I think we can attribute some of the bulk to bad lighting and costumes (yea for lycra!), we can clearly see that dancers are getting slimmer.

Lines are more defined. Note how square Rojo strikes her pose: her hips and shoulders in line with her torso. Fonteyn’s pose is more “open.” Rojo’s turnout is more pronouced. Her arms and fingers are more refined in their placement.

The sillouhoute of the legs has changed over the yearsl. In particular, it has become fashionable for dancers to have a slight backward curve at their knee, such that their standing leg is subtlely S- shaped. The foot itself has curved more. Look at the dancers’ standing foot and note how the arch as increased. Rojo looks much more stable on her pointe than Fonteyn. These curves make the legs generally more tapered and willowy (like a Willi!). Fonteyn was hailed as brilliant in her day but she would look sloppy next to modern ballerinas.

These minute definitions have evolved slowly. I think it is a testament to the athleticism of ballet. In their own way, ballerinas are continually setting new records for themselves. Instead of faster times or higher jumps, they set higher standards of placement. Just a thought 🙂