Previously unseen pictures from behind the scenes at the Royal Ballet are going on show as part of this year’s Photo London.
The images, taken by photographer Mary McCartney, are among hundreds being displayed as part of this year’s event and can be seen at Somerset House this week.
McCartney, the daughter of former Beatle Sir Paul and his photographer wife Linda, spent hours with the dancers back stage at Covent Garden for the project which culminated in a 2004 exhibition.
McCartney, whose other work includes portraits of celebrity sitters such as Sam Taylor-Wood, Ralph Fiennes and Jude Law, said: “I want to present the real individuals behind the mask. To document the hidden details of the ballet world and reveal the contrast between the sometimes gruelling, painful lifestyle of the dancers and their fairy-tale performances.”
Her work is being shown alongside two other female photographers as this year’s fair which is championing women in photography.
Co-founder Fariba Farshid said photography “remains a male dominated profession” but said almost half the galleries taking part in Photo London are run by women and 40% of the artists featured are women.
Photo London is at Somerset House until Sunday, May 19.
