Rophar is credited as the only American artist to have one of his paintings hanging In the Bolshoi Theatre of Moscow, and this native Southern California artist Was invited to the Soviet Embassy in Washington, D.C. in 1971 for a formal Reception and presentation of the painting. His portrayal of the Prima Ballerina, Maya Pilsetskaya, performing the dying Swan Queen from Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, was presented as a gesture of good will to the people of the Soviet Union, In an attempt to initiate a re establishment of the cultural exchange between The two countries, which had been postponed at that time. His effort was admirably acknowledged by the White House, and he was also invited to Moscow for a second presentation in person, where Miss Plisetskaya and the entire Bolshoi Troupe would accept the painting on behalf of the Russian people.