Maria Taglioni

Maria Taglioni was a renowned 19th-century ballet dancer from Italy, celebrated for her grace and technical skill. She was one of the first dancers to perform en pointe, meaning she danced on the tips of her toes, which became a hallmark of ballet technique. Her performances helped elevate ballet to a serious art form, emphasizing expressiveness and elegance. Taglioni gained international fame, particularly for her role in the romantic ballet "La Sylphide." Her contributions influenced ballet's development and set new standards for female dancers.