Painting, c. 1745, by Antoine Pesne (1683–1757) of Barbara Campanini, known as La Barbarina, (1721-1799), a famous Italian ballerina, one of the most important ballet dancers of the 18th century. King Frederick the Great, offered her a position at the newly erected Court Opera in Berlin, where she performed from 1744 onwards. She appeared in her first performance there on 13 May 1744. Before she arrived, however, she had eloped her contract to Venice with her lover James Stuart-Mackenzie, and King Frederick used political pressure arresting a Venetian envoy to have her turned over to Prussia.

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Size: 3108px × 4782px
Location: Italy
Photo credit: © De Luan / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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