A young woman from the American Midwest, Loïe Fuller became the toast of the Folies Bergère at the turn of the 20th century and an icon of the Belle Epoque. Inventor of the breathtaking Serpentine Dance, she was a pioneer of modern dance and lighting techniques. It was her complicated relationship to her protégé - Isadora Duncan – that precipitated the downfall of this early 20th century icon.

Lina Esbrard performs a serpentine dance.

A woman in a white gown performs a skirt dance, using her arms to produce circles and other patterns within the folds of her costume. Her legs and feet appear to be bare. (Library of Congress)

Mme. Bob Walter performs the serpentine dance.

Madame Ondine performs a serpentine dance surrounded by big cats.

Serpentine dance.

A bat transforms into a young dancer and performs a serpentine dance.