This photograph is one from a collection of "Project prints" originally owned by Jacob Zeitlin, which was acquired by Lee Witkin in 1975. Zeitlin, a Los Angeles-based bookseller and publisher was a proponent of Edward Weston's art, and was one of the first people to exhibit his photographs at his Downtown LA bookstore.

Carmelita Maracci was a Spanish American dancer and choreographer known for her fusion of Spanish baile with traditional ballet. Born in 1911 to a French-German mother and an Italian-Spanish father, both in concert arts, Maracci was destined to perform. Maracci was raised in California with strong ties to her Spanish roots. She briefly moved to New York to pursue ballet with the renowned Mikhail Mordkin before returning to Los Angeles. Her “thunderous” style and unique Spanish-inspired footwork stole the attention of the dance world. She effortlessly weaved in techniques from flamenco into her ballet practice to choreograph vanguard performances such as “Another Goyescas,” “Cante Jondo,” and “Nightingale and the Maiden.” She was a famed instructor, mentoring talents such as Agnes de Mille, Charlie Chaplin, Janet Collins, Julie Nemar, among just a few; and was well-regarded in the dance world throughout her life. However, many believe that her career was maimed by her poor health and her severe personality. She died on July 26, 1987. An austere perfectionist, her ingenuity and mastery of dance remains unforgettable to all who have witnessed.