While exploring the gallery, one portrait really stood out to me; it is unique 1926 photograph of Margaret Morris by Fred Daniels. I was intrigued in by the flowers wrapped around you head and in her hands over her chest. The portrait is soft and glowing, instantly capturing the essence of someone who seemed to be of higher status. Margaret Morris appears very elegant, wild, and youthful. She has a calm confidence in her expression which even radiates in a portrait, even though it is black and white. After seeing the portrait and reading the description, I felt a connection and deep interest in her.
Morris wasn’t just a dancer, she was a revolutionary. She grew up with strict ballet training she had received as a child but wasn’t satisfied with it. She created her own modern style, drawing from Classical Greek dance and the influence of American pioneer Isadora Duncan. For Morris, movement wasn’t only about performance, it was about health and wellbeing. She believed in the power of dance to heal and connect, and her exercises weren’t limited to dancers; she developed techniques for new mothers, children, and athletes. This became known as the Margaret Morris Movement, which is still taught and practiced today.
Fred Daniels, the photographer, was known for his work in the film industry, and you can see that in this portrait. There is a soft focus, a natural light, and the background is blurred, but it all works together to create a beautiful image. This doesn’t feel like a fake staged photo; it looks effortless and natural. I loved the simplicity of the setting draws your attention you just her. It lets you dive deeper into the portrait and feel something deeper.
If I could step into the photo, I imagine it would feel like a quiet garden on a warm spring morning. I’d hear the soft rustle of leaves blowing in the wind, maybe a few birds singing, and feel a light breeze brushing against my skin and my surroundings. It would feel peaceful, alive, and free, exactly the kind of space Morris seemed to create through her movement and teaching.
This photograph, while simple at first glance, holds so much power. It reflects Margaret Morris not only as a beautiful woman and artist but as someone deeply connected to nature, to the body, and to the human spirit. It’s a reminder that art and movement can be both gentle and revolutionary and that sometimes the softest images leave the strongest impression.
Theatre in London U of A 