“The Dancer” is an early, important work by Eugen Spiro. The fluid, ornamental layers of the dress and the lively, dynamic grace of the pose reveal art nouveau’s new approach to design. The woman shown is the artist’s youngest sister, Baladine (Merline) Klossowska (1886–1969), portrayed as a dancer wearing modern reform clothing. She was given her nickname, Merline, by her close friend Rainer Maria Rilke (1875–1926).

Spiro came to Berlin in 1904 and joined the artist association known as the Berlin Secession. “The Dancer” was shown that same year at the St. Louis World’s Fair in the US.