Cleo de Merode French dancer, star of the Belle Epoque. Date of Birth: 27.09.1895 Country: France

1. Cleo de Merode: The French Dancer of the Belle Epoque
2. Early Life and Artistic Beginnings
3. The Controversial Image and Scandal
4. The "Royal Story" and Later Years

Cleo de Merode: The French Dancer of the Belle Epoque

Cleo de Merode was a French dancer and a star of the Belle Epoque era. In the early 20th century, she was one of the most photographed women in the world, and her beautiful face with dark eyes could be seen on postcards in many countries. Her fame was accompanied by rumors and scandals. Men admired her, women envied and imitated her. However, her name is now almost forgotten... I accidentally came across her portraits and was struck by her beauty – refined, decadent, and yet so modern. Look closely at her face, it resembles those rare inspired images that we can still encounter today. I even feel like I was familiar with her... Cleo, the Cleopatra of ballet. Cleo de Merode.

Early Life and Artistic Beginnings

Cleo de Merode was born in Paris in 1875 to a family of Austrian subjects of Belgian descent. Her father was a renowned landscape painter, so artistic talent and aristocratic demeanor ran in her blood. Cleo began her journey in the arts at the age of seven. However, it was her extraordinary beauty that brought her fame. In 1896, the magazine "Illustration" held a beauty contest of sorts, in which 130 girls participated. Cleo took the first place, and her image began to be reproduced for the wider public: postcards, posters, and even playing cards... Her exquisite features became known throughout Europe.

The Controversial Image and Scandal

During that time, a dancer could not be considered a respectable woman, so the profession automatically carried the label of a "courtesan." This was due to the prevailing moral freedom in bohemian circles and the attention of wealthy gentlemen who showered their mistresses with money and precious jewels. And what respectable woman would perform on stage? Cleo was never a kept woman, but who believed that? Her stage image was original for that time. Cleo danced with her magnificent hair flowing down her shoulders. It was unconventional for ballet. In the late 19th century, when there was a fashion for simple, neatly styled hairdos, this "loose-haired" dancer attracted attention and shocked at the same time. Loose hair in the minds of ordinary people gave rise to thoughts of the overall promiscuity of its owner. Interestingly, another one of Cleo's hairstyles also contributed to her fame. "Dark hair fell onto her ears and was arranged in a hairstyle that became fashionable thanks to Mademoiselle Cleo de Merode," describes one of his heroines Somerset Maugham in the novel "Of Human Bondage." "Ah, do you like my hairstyle, Mr. Saunders? Some prefer a chignon, but they say that 'Cleo de Merode' suits delicate features more," writes O. Henry in the story "The Power of Habit." This hairstyle was quite simple – the hair was parted straight, waves touched the cheeks, and the back was arranged in a bun. Bohemian, yet modest styling. However, even this hairstyle gave rise to not only imitation but also absurd rumors. Some said that the beauty had her earlobe cut off, while others claimed that a jealous lover had shot part of her ear (aimed at her heart but missed)... In any case, there was clearly something wrong with her ears... However, that did not stop women from styling their hair the same way. After all, Cleo was to a large extent a kind of fashion model, and people wanted to imitate her. The image of a seductress who lured wealthy men into her trap became firmly established in connection with the "royal story."

The "Royal Story" and Later Years

In 1896, Cleo was invited to join the theater troupe in Bordeaux. According to legend, it was there that Cleo caught the eye of King Leopold II of Belgium. Despite being sixty years old, he was known for his womanizing nature and fondness for the company of actresses. This is why the bouquet of red roses sent to Cleo after the performance was interpreted by the public in a rather unambiguous way. From this moment on, Cleo began to be pursued by the label of being the "favorite" of the king. Cartoons were drawn, salty anecdotes and rumors spread. Despite Cleo's resistance and her claims that King Leopold II only felt friendly towards her, the unhealthy interest in their relationship could not be stopped. The nickname "Cleopold" was permanently associated with the king, while Cleo's legal actions against the rumors were ignored. There were even rumors that the king was so enchanted by the dancer that he was willing to abdicate the throne and marry her. Partly due to this story, Cleo left Paris, toured many countries and cities, and tried to return to Paris after several years. However, she could not find a worthy place for herself, and Cleo once again began to wander the world. She danced before soldiers during World War I and remained on stage until the age of fifty. Her photographs could be found in shop windows in many European cities. Postcards featuring Cleo de Merode are the indisputable evidence of her beauty. Researchers conventionally divide these postcards into several groups. Choreographic ones – photos where Cleo is depicted dancing. There are not so many of these specimens. And first and foremost, the rarity of these shots speaks to the fact that Cleo was interesting to the public not so much as a ballet dancer. When Simone de Beauvoir published the book "The Second Sex" in the 1950s, in which she referred to Cleo de Merode as a "lady of the demi-monde," Cleo was deeply offended. She filed a lawsuit, won the case, and in 1955, she released her memoir book "Ballet - My Life." Today, we once again gaze into those huge deceitful eyes, trying to fathom her secret thoughts... But every time, the meaning eludes us. Only beauty remains, and it is always unfathomable.