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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 4 of 18
Schéhérazade, Dance Ballets Russes production

Schéhérazade, Dance Ballets Russes production

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

Pyrrhic dance - Public domain dedication image

Pyrrhic dance - Public domain dedication image

Picryl description: Public domain image of knight armor, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

A peep at the Parisot with Q in the corner

A peep at the Parisot with Q in the corner

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

Taglioni, (The shawl dance of Cachmere)

Taglioni, (The shawl dance of Cachmere)

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

Marie Taglioni - Public domain portrait print

Marie Taglioni - Public domain portrait print

Public domain scan of portrait art print, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

[Portrait: Lithograph] H. Grevedon

[Portrait: Lithograph] H. Grevedon

Picryl description: Public domain image of portrait, 19th century print, free to use, no copyright restrictions

Danse du fandango - Drawing. Public domain image.

Danse du fandango - Drawing. Public domain image.

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

Costume de Mme. Grisi Perrot, rôle de Gianita, dans Zingaro. Opéra, Th. de la Renaissance.

Costume de Mme. Grisi Perrot, rôle de Gianita, dans Zingaro. Opéra, Th...

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

Paysanne galante: On fait usage de cet habit dans le Ballet de la Provençale et dans plusieurs ballets du même genre. J. B. Martin inv. et sculp

Paysanne galante: On fait usage de cet habit dans le Ballet de la Prov...

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

Psyché, a scene from the ballet

Psyché, a scene from the ballet

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

Attitudes de danse exécutées à l'Opéra par le Sr. Doberval et Melles Guimard et Alard en 1779

Attitudes de danse exécutées à l'Opéra par le Sr. Doberval et Melles G...

Public domain photo of French art print, 16th-17th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.

Parte delle Fiure del balletto, Fog. III.

Parte delle Fiure del balletto, Fog. III.

Public domain scan of a document related to American history, Colonial period, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.

Johannes van den Aveele - Armide

Johannes van den Aveele - Armide

Public domain photo of art print, 16th-17th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.

Costume for Ida Rubinstein in Saint-Sébastien

Costume for Ida Rubinstein in Saint-Sébastien

Public domain scan of dance performance printed advertisement, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Le petit sabotier. âgé de cinq ans et demi, dansant l'entrée de Pierrot.

Le petit sabotier. âgé de cinq ans et demi, dansant l'entrée de Pierro...

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

On Princess Emelia - Public domain dedication image

On Princess Emelia - Public domain dedication image

Picryl description: Public domain image of a portrait of composer or musician, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

The Bengall minuet, Art print depicting dance

The Bengall minuet, Art print depicting dance

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

Pera Mena, Art print depicting dance

Pera Mena, Art print depicting dance

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

Mlle. Noblet, Solo-Tänzerin an der grossen Oper zu Paris: Steindr. v. A. Kneisel

Mlle. Noblet, Solo-Tänzerin an der grossen Oper zu Paris: Steindr. v. ...

Public domain photo of portrait art print, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Melle. Taglioni - Public domain portrait engraving

Melle. Taglioni - Public domain portrait engraving

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

The Boleras dance, Art print depicting dance

The Boleras dance, Art print depicting dance

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

Auguste Vestris - Le doyen des Zéphirs; ou Le roi des voltigeurs

Auguste Vestris - Le doyen des Zéphirs; ou Le roi des voltigeurs

Public domain photograph related to dance, ballet, musical performance, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Tognino nel ballo del Sig'r Deschalumeaus, Real Teatro del Fondo

Tognino nel ballo del Sig'r Deschalumeaus, Real Teatro del Fondo

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

Commedia dell'arte - Der Schäffler-Tanz in München

Commedia dell'arte - Der Schäffler-Tanz in München

Public domain photograph of music festival, musicians, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

[Die Maskerade], Art print depicting dance

[Die Maskerade], Art print depicting dance

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

Giangurgolo, noble Calabrois - Public domain portrait engraving

Giangurgolo, noble Calabrois - Public domain portrait engraving

Public domain image of an engraving, male portrait, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description

James Thomson - Miss Tree - Public domain portrait engraving

James Thomson - Miss Tree - Public domain portrait engraving

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

Pas gracieux du 1er ballet. (Mr. Paul.) Dans La lampe merveilleuse. Opera, (Acade. Rle. de Musique.): Lith: de G. Engelmann

Pas gracieux du 1er ballet. (Mr. Paul.) Dans La lampe merveilleuse. Op...

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

Madlle. Noblet in Cendrillon: Painted by M. W. Sharp. Engraved by Robt. Cooper

Madlle. Noblet in Cendrillon: Painted by M. W. Sharp. Engraved by Robt...

Public domain image of painting, 18th-19th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description

[Dancers in theatrical folk costume]

[Dancers in theatrical folk costume]

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

Das schweizer Milchmädchen, Ballet von Taglioni, Erkennungsscene

Das schweizer Milchmädchen, Ballet von Taglioni, Erkennungsscene

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

Caricature, Caricature., public domain cartoon image

Caricature, Caricature., public domain cartoon image

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

Ballet: El ole. Pepita de Oliva, Dance

Ballet: El ole. Pepita de Oliva, Dance

Public domain photograph - dance, dancer, performing arts, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Child dancers, Art print depicting dance

Child dancers, Art print depicting dance

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

Costume de Melle Taglioni, rôle de Nathalie dans la pièce de ce nom, ballet, Académie royale de musique

Costume de Melle Taglioni, rôle de Nathalie dans la pièce de ce nom, b...

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

Costumes de Melle. Taglioni, rôle de la sylphide, et de Mazillier, rôle de James Reuben, dans La sylphide, ballet

Costumes de Melle. Taglioni, rôle de la sylphide, et de Mazillier, rôl...

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

Madame Brugnioli [Brugnoli] & Samengo.

Madame Brugnioli [Brugnoli] & Samengo.

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

Quadrilles from Aubers celebrated opera, "Le dieu et la bayadére," respectfully dedicated to Madlle. Augusta, by S.M.

Quadrilles from Aubers celebrated opera, "Le dieu et la bayadére," res...

Picryl description: Public domain image of a portrait of composer or musician, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Mlle. Taglioni, Académie royale de musique

Mlle. Taglioni, Académie royale de musique

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

Trois airs de ballet. No. 1. El zapateado. No. 2. La cracovienne. No. 3. La cachucha. Arrangée pour le piano par Ad. Le Carpentier.

Trois airs de ballet. No. 1. El zapateado. No. 2. La cracovienne. No. ...

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

Fanny Elssler in the character of La cachucha. [Lith.] by E. Brown, Jr.

Fanny Elssler in the character of La cachucha. [Lith.] by E. Brown, Jr...

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

La polka. Madelle. Grisi & Monsr. Perrot. Gez. v. Bovier [sic]. Lith. v. Blau. Druck b. H. Delius.

La polka. Madelle. Grisi & Monsr. Perrot. Gez. v. Bovier [sic]. Lith. ...

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

Pas styrian, as danced by Mr. & Miss Wells, arranged for the piano forte by Francis Wieland

Pas styrian, as danced by Mr. & Miss Wells, arranged for the piano for...

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

collection of the most admired polkas by the most eminent European composers in six Numbers. No. 2. Empress Anne, polka by J. Strauss. - La Carlotta Grisi's, by Julien. [Lithograph] On stone by Jas. Queen. P. S. Duval, Lith. Phila.

collection of the most admired polkas by the most eminent European com...

Picryl description: Public domain image of a portrait of composer or musician, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Ballet: The polka., Art print depicting dance

Ballet: The polka., Art print depicting dance

Public domain photograph - dance, dancer, performing arts, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Costumes de Mlle. Sophie Dumilatre et de Mr. Hoguet. Le diable à quatre. Ballet.

Costumes de Mlle. Sophie Dumilatre et de Mr. Hoguet. Le diable à quatr...

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

Académie Royale de Musique. Melle Carlotta Grisi dans Paquita. 1r acte. Imp. J. Rigo et Cie.

Académie Royale de Musique. Melle Carlotta Grisi dans Paquita. 1r acte...

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

La redowatschka, rédowa-polka. dansée dans le ballet La vivandière par Mr. & Mme. St. Léon-Cerrito, arrangée pour le piano par Fréd. Rurgmüller [sic]

La redowatschka, rédowa-polka. dansée dans le ballet La vivandière par...

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

Wild brier: valse de salon - Public domain scenic engraving

Wild brier: valse de salon - Public domain scenic engraving

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

Fanny Cerrito St. Léon. - Public domain portrait engraving

Fanny Cerrito St. Léon. - Public domain portrait engraving

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

Portrait, portrait - Public domain portrait engraving

Portrait, portrait - Public domain portrait engraving

Public domain scan of portrait art print, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

La Seguidilla. Polka-Mazurka, und Polka, in dem Ballet: Die Weiberkur: getanzt von Fräulein Marie Taglioni, für Clavier arrangirt von Louis Engel. [Lithograph] Anst. v. E. Siegir

La Seguidilla. Polka-Mazurka, und Polka, in dem Ballet: Die Weiberkur:...

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

St. Léon, dans le Lutin de la vallée: Lith. Decan. Paris

St. Léon, dans le Lutin de la vallée: Lith. Decan. Paris

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

Pia Ricci - Public domain portrait engraving

Pia Ricci - Public domain portrait engraving

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

Emma Livry. - Engraving, Public domain image

Emma Livry. - Engraving, Public domain image

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

Scène de l'Opera, La tarentelle (Étoile de Messine)

Scène de l'Opera, La tarentelle (Étoile de Messine)

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

Mademoiselle Fioretti de l'Opéra.

Mademoiselle Fioretti de l'Opéra.

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

Undine, by V. B. Aubert, Art print depicting dance

Undine, by V. B. Aubert, Art print depicting dance

Public domain image of a military forces, uniform, officer, military commander, European armies, free to use, no copyright restrictions -Picryl description

Melle B. Montaubry. Faust - Egypt

Melle B. Montaubry. Faust - Egypt

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

L'étoile, d'aprés Melle. Zambelli, par M. P. Carrier-Belleuse.

L'étoile, d'aprés Melle. Zambelli, par M. P. Carrier-Belleuse.

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

Les sylphides, Art print depicting dance

Les sylphides, Art print depicting dance

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

Vera Fokina in Cleopatra. - Egypt

Vera Fokina in Cleopatra. - Egypt

Public domain image of Egyptian art, free to use, no copyright restrictions photo - Picryl description

[Stage scene] - Drawing. Public domain image.

[Stage scene] - Drawing. Public domain image.

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

La Rencontre au bal, Dance, France, 19th century

La Rencontre au bal, Dance, France, 19th century

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

Fédération Française - A drawing of a group of people on a stage

Fédération Française - A drawing of a group of people on a stage

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

Fête des Victoires, au Champ de Mars

Fête des Victoires, au Champ de Mars

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

Danse Egyptienne au bord du Nil

Danse Egyptienne au bord du Nil

Public domain image of Egyptian art, free to use, no copyright restrictions photo - Picryl description

Parc d'Asnières, orchestre et salle de bal

Parc d'Asnières, orchestre et salle de bal

Public domain image of carnival, parade, celebration, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description

Thomas Rowlandson - [Microcosm of London]

Thomas Rowlandson - [Microcosm of London]

Public domain image of a large historic building, city hall, urban architecture, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description

Saltarello, costume di Roma, Italy

Saltarello, costume di Roma, Italy

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

Quadrilles-- practising at home

Quadrilles-- practising at home

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

Theater zu Dresden, Art print depicting dance

Theater zu Dresden, Art print depicting dance

Public domain photograph of theater building, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Shakers' dance, Art print depicting dance

Shakers' dance, Art print depicting dance

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

École de danse - Engraving, Public domain image

École de danse - Engraving, Public domain image

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

Antonio Canova [Ancient dancing]

Antonio Canova [Ancient dancing]

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

The dancing lesson, pt. 2, the minuet

The dancing lesson, pt. 2, the minuet

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

Fanny Elssler [facsim. sig.] in the Cracovienne dance. E. Brown Jr. del., G. W. Lewis lith.

Fanny Elssler [facsim. sig.] in the Cracovienne dance. E. Brown Jr. de...

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

olé: Spanischer Nationaltanz ausgeführt von Sennora Pepita de Oliva. Arrangement für das Piano

olé: Spanischer Nationaltanz ausgeführt von Sennora Pepita de Oliva. A...

Public domain photograph of musical performance, musicians, music, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Mlle. Taglioni, Art print depicting dance
Spanish dancing, Art print depicting dance

Spanish dancing, Art print depicting dance

Public domain photograph of musical performance, musicians, music, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Fanny Elssler in the character of La sylphide. [Lithograph by] E. Brown Jr. Lith. of G. W. Lewis.

Fanny Elssler in the character of La sylphide. [Lithograph by] E. Brow...

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

À Mademoiselle Louise Taglioni. Le Juif errant

À Mademoiselle Louise Taglioni. Le Juif errant

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

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

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

Public domain scan of American 19th-century print, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Commémoration de la Prise de la Bastille

Commémoration de la Prise de la Bastille

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

Habit crotesque de paysan. Dansant à l'Opéra.

Habit crotesque de paysan. Dansant à l'Opéra.

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

[Thedragon of Wantley]., Art print depicting dance

[Thedragon of Wantley]., Art print depicting dance

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

A dance in Otaheite - Engraving, Public domain image

A dance in Otaheite - Engraving, Public domain image

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

Serment des Fédérés au Champ de Mars

Serment des Fédérés au Champ de Mars

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

Beaupré danseur à l'Opéra. - Engraving, Public domain image

Beaupré danseur à l'Opéra. - Engraving, Public domain image

Public domain photo of French art print, 16th-17th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.

Egyptian dancing girls - A painting of a woman and a child

Egyptian dancing girls - A painting of a woman and a child

Public domain image of Egyptian art, free to use, no copyright restrictions photo - Picryl description

La bien venue; le début de Mad'elle Chameroy en Paradis.

La bien venue; le début de Mad'elle Chameroy en Paradis.

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

Mlle Lazy, rôle de l'Amour dans Eglé

Mlle Lazy, rôle de l'Amour dans Eglé

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

Une sylphide (Mlle Brocard) dans La mort du Tasse, opéra en 3 actes.

Une sylphide (Mlle Brocard) dans La mort du Tasse, opéra en 3 actes.

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

Pas noble (Mme Anatole) dans La lampe merveilleuse (Acade. Rle. de musique).

Pas noble (Mme Anatole) dans La lampe merveilleuse (Acade. Rle. de mus...

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

La fleur du village., Art print depicting dance

La fleur du village., Art print depicting dance

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

A lively idea, Art print depicting dance

A lively idea, Art print depicting dance

Public domain image of coupe, engagement, family, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Madame Desargus als Therese in dem Ballet die Nachtwändlerin. Gez. von J. Schoppe. Lith. Inst. v. L. Sachse & Cie

Madame Desargus als Therese in dem Ballet die Nachtwändlerin. Gez. von...

Public domain image, 18th-century female portrait, aristocracy, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description

Melle. Pauline Duvernay, rôle de la nayade dans le ballet de La belle au bois dormant [in facsimile of Duvernay's handwriting].

Melle. Pauline Duvernay, rôle de la nayade dans le ballet de La belle ...

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

Die Dlles Danse und Ropiquet, tanzend den Jaleo de Xeres in dem Ballete 'Der hinkende Teufel.'

Die Dlles Danse und Ropiquet, tanzend den Jaleo de Xeres in dem Ballet...

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

Lucile Grahn. - Public domain portrait engraving

Lucile Grahn. - Public domain portrait engraving

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

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