NYPL's Public Domain Archive. Not developed or endorsed by NYPL. Part of the World's largest public domain source PICRYL.com.

Dance

Dance in Europe: From Middle Ages to 18th Century.Created by: NYPL's Public Domain ArchiveDated: 2017
Selected plates from The art of dancing explained by reading and figures
During Middle Ages, Church considered dance as a sin and condemned it. Records of Medieval dance are fragmented and limited, but a noteworthy dance reference from the medieval period is the allegory of the Danse Macabre.
During the Renaissance, dance experienced growing popularity. Country dances, performed for pleasure, became distinct from court dances, which had ceremonial and political functions.
In Germany, originated from a modified ländler, the waltz was introduced in all the European courts.
The 16th century Queen of France Catherine de' Medici promoted and popularized dance in France and helped develop the ballet de cour. The production of the Ballet Comique de la Reine in 1581 is regarded by scholars as the first authentic ballet. In the 17th century, the French minuet, characterized by its bows, courtesies and gallant gestures, permeated the European cultural landscape.
1,734 Media in collectionpage 18 of 18
Ertinger Franz - Alceste - A black and white drawing of people in a room

Ertinger Franz - Alceste - A black and white drawing of people in a ro...

Public domain reproduction of artwork, 16th-17th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.

Rappresentazione d'un ballo di nobili ...

Rappresentazione d'un ballo di nobili ...

Public domain image of a 17th-18th century fashion, costume design, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.

William de la Cour - L'Espagnolette

William de la Cour - L'Espagnolette

Public domain image of a 17th-18th century fashion, costume design, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.

Commedia dell'arte - Harlequin - Drawing. Public domain image.

Commedia dell'arte - Harlequin - Drawing. Public domain image.

Public domain photograph of 18th-century painting, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Ertinger Franz - Les festes galantes

Ertinger Franz - Les festes galantes

Public domain reproduction of art print, 18th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.

Marie Rose Paul Didelot - [Caricature]

Marie Rose Paul Didelot - [Caricature]

Public domain image of a 19th century fashion, costume design, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description.

Melle. Taglioni - Public domain portrait engraving

Melle. Taglioni - Public domain portrait engraving

Picryl description: Public domain image - 19th-century female portrait, aristocracy, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Mlle Marianna Venturini - Public domain portrait engraving

Mlle Marianna Venturini - Public domain portrait engraving

Public domain photograph of portrait art print, 18th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Caricature, Minuet la cour, public domain cartoon image

Caricature, Minuet la cour, public domain cartoon image

Public domain image of a 18th-century fashion, costume design, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description.

Graces: Inconveniences in quadrille dancing

Graces: Inconveniences in quadrille dancing

Public domain image of a 18th-century fashion, costume design, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description.

Ballet: Jocko., Art print depicting dance

Ballet: Jocko., Art print depicting dance

Public domain scan of artwork depicting dance, music, performing art productions, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Happy am I, from care I'm free: aria sung by Mr. Richings in Auber's admired Le dieu et la bayadere.

Happy am I, from care I'm free: aria sung by Mr. Richings in Auber's a...

Public domain sheet music, notation, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Portraits of Carlotta Grisi and M. Perrot: A scene in the ballet, called "Le rossignol," as performed at the King's Theatre

Portraits of Carlotta Grisi and M. Perrot: A scene in the ballet, call...

Public domain image of military forces, cavalry, horses, horseriding, 18th-19th century war, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description.

Madlle Elsler [sic] & Mr. Gilbert, in The spirit of air.

Madlle Elsler [sic] & Mr. Gilbert, in The spirit of air.

Picryl description: Public domain image related to dance, musical, theater, performance, performing arts, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Taglioni-Walzer für das Pianoforte: Zur Erinnerung an die gefeyerte Dlle. Marie Taglioni. Componirt von Johann Strauss. 11tes Werk

Taglioni-Walzer für das Pianoforte: Zur Erinnerung an die gefeyerte Dl...

Public domain scan of artwork depicting dance, music, performing art productions, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

La Cerrito. [Lithograph] F. Sorrieu. Lith. Magnier

La Cerrito. [Lithograph] F. Sorrieu. Lith. Magnier

Public domain photograph of 19th-century painting, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Madlle. Fanny Elssler in La tarentule
Harvest dance - A black and white drawing of a group of dancers

Harvest dance - A black and white drawing of a group of dancers

Public domain image of painting, 17th-18th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Eine Schwedische Bauern-Hochzeit

Eine Schwedische Bauern-Hochzeit

Public domain image of a 18th-century fashion, costume design, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description.

[Portrait]., portrait - Public domain portrait engraving

[Portrait]., portrait - Public domain portrait engraving

Picryl description: Public domain photograph of a 19th-century costume, fashion, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Ida Rubinstein in Schéhérazade - Drawing. Public domain image.

Ida Rubinstein in Schéhérazade - Drawing. Public domain image.

Public domain photograph of 20th-century painting, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

[Nijinsky in Spectre de la rose].

[Nijinsky in Spectre de la rose].

Public domain photograph of 20th century drawing, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Dansseuse de Loango, Art print depicting dance

Dansseuse de Loango, Art print depicting dance

Picryl description: Public domain image of a ballet stage costume design, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Mabille - Drawing. Public domain image.

Mabille - Drawing. Public domain image.

Picryl description: Public domain photograph of a 19th-century costume, fashion, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Ballroom dancing - Victorian era public domain image

Ballroom dancing - Victorian era public domain image

Picryl description: Public domain image of wildlife, wild animals, nature, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Dance [La péri on music covers] - Public domain musical sheets

Dance [La péri on music covers] - Public domain musical sheets

Public domain sheet music, notation, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Dance Les polkas. - Public domain musical sheets

Dance Les polkas. - Public domain musical sheets

Public domain sheet music, notation, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Ballroom dancing - Public domain museum object photo

Ballroom dancing - Public domain museum object photo

Public domain photograph of textile 3d object, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl Description.

The polka on 19th-century music covers

The polka on 19th-century music covers

Picryl description: Public domain image of a 19th century fashion, costume design, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Ballroom dancing on British and American 19th-century music covers

Ballroom dancing on British and American 19th-century music covers

Public domain sheet music, notation, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

A view of the ball at St. James's on her Majesty's birth night

A view of the ball at St. James's on her Majesty's birth night

Public domain scan - 18th-century print, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

M-RC-N.TI'S leap from the Opera, or the Ballet turned into a Ball.

M-RC-N.TI'S leap from the Opera, or the Ballet turned into a Ball.

Public domain scan - 18th-century print, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Paulina Duvernay as the maid of Terracina, in the ballet called Il briganti, performed at the King's Theatre in the Haymarket.

Paulina Duvernay as the maid of Terracina, in the ballet called Il bri...

Picryl description: Public domain image related to dance, musical, theater, performance, performing arts, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Fanny Cerrito [facsimile signature] in the divertissement Une soirée de carnaval.

Fanny Cerrito [facsimile signature] in the divertissement Une soirée d...

Picryl description: Public domain image related to dance, musical, theater, performance, performing arts, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Previous

of 18

Next