La Divina
Designed and Handcrafted by Alex Soldier
La Divina is a collectible sculptural miniature by Alex Soldier created to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Sergei Pavlovich Diaghilev, the legendary ballet impresario and founder of the Russian Seasons, whose revolutionary artistic vision transformed the world of dance and introduced generations of extraordinary performers to international audiences. Commissioned by Ardani Artists, this museum-quality sculpture celebrates the enduring legacy of ballet and the timeless pursuit of artistic excellence.
Inspired by a photograph of celebrated prima ballerina Diana Vishneva performing in Don Quixote, Alex Soldier captures the elegance, strength, and expressive beauty of classical dance through a masterful integration of sculpture, movement, and precious materials. Rather than depicting a single performance, La Divina embodies the universal spirit of ballet—grace, discipline, passion, and the extraordinary dedication required to transform movement into art.
Entirely handcrafted in New York City, the sculpture is composed of twelve individually constructed components in silver, gold, and platinum, each meticulously finished using Alex Soldier's signature proprietary metalwork techniques. Richly textured surfaces create remarkable dimensionality and movement, giving the figure an ethereal sense of lightness while demonstrating the artist's extraordinary technical mastery and attention to detail. The sculpture rests upon a lapis lazuli base, whose deep celestial blue provides both visual contrast and symbolic depth.
Created for the 1997 celebration of Diaghilev's anniversary at Lincoln Center, La Divina was presented to some of the world's most celebrated ballet artists, including Vladimir Malakhov of American Ballet Theatre, Ulyana Lopatkina of the Mariinsky Ballet, and Diana Vishneva of the Bolshoi Theatre. This distinguished provenance further enhances the sculpture's significance as both a collectible work of art and a cultural artifact honoring one of ballet's greatest legacies.
Balancing historical importance with exceptional craftsmanship, La Divina transcends portraiture to become a celebration of movement, beauty, and artistic achievement. The sculpture reflects Alex Soldier's enduring commitment to innovation and his ability to transform precious materials into works of lasting emotional and cultural resonance.
Materials: Silver, Gold, Platinum, Lapis Lazuli
Height: 125 mm / 5 inches
Handcrafted with love in New York City from responsibly sourced materials.
