Stacia Napierkowska

Stacia Napierkowska (born Renée Claire Angèle Élisabeth Napierkowski, 16 September 1891 – 11 May 1945) was a French actress, dancer, and director who worked during the silent film era.

[1] Napierkowska began her career with the Folies Bergère, where she was noticed by the director of the Opéra-Comique who engaged her to perform in the Fêtes Romaines organized at the Théâtre d’Orange.

In January 1913, she embarked for the United States to launch an international career: While sailing on the ocean liner Lorraine, she encountered the painter, Francis Picabia, who went on to produce a series of paintings inspired by her.

After returning to France, Napierkowska said, "Really, I have not brought away a single pleasant memory from the United States" and "What a narrow-minded people they are – how utterly impervious to any beautiful impression!

As a film actress, she specialized in exotic, seductive roles, including the Salome character as envisioned by Oscar Wilde.

Portrait of the dancer Stacia Napierkowska