10" x 8" toned silverprint, pen inscription " To Rev.Amity(?) R Parshly with all bright(?) greeting, Ruth Denis. Beautifully posed image of Denis, with strong tonality and contrast. Pencil id on verso " Ruth St Denis in "Ishtar" . Not dated, ca. 1920s, no photographer's id.
Ruth St. Denis (1879-1968) was an early modern dance pioneer; founded Adelphi University's dance program in 1938 which was the one of the first dance departments in an American university. Her early works are indicative of her interests in exotic mysticism and spirituality. One of her more famous pupils was Martha Graham who attended  St. Denis' school of dance.
Has been pasted in album, small remnants on back with accompanying  minor moisture rippling along edges, o/w VG-F cond. (Etph028; $425