Isadora Duncan Intro

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Unfinished History

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ISADORA DUNCAN, modern dance pioneer (1878-1927)

With her graceful barefoot movements, flowing Grecian costumes, and maverick views on everything from ballet to marriage, Isadora Duncan sparked a revolution in American dance and challenged society's rigid expectations of women. A San Francisco native, Duncan achieved international fame and was the subject of continual controversy. Often called "the mother of modern dance," she revolutionized dance, introducing an improvisational, emotion-driven form that would give birth to a new American style of dance.

Photo: Museum of Performance + Design

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