In the sixteenth century, when this was painted, dance was subject to a strict code and regarded by the authorities and church as a social evil. People could not swing their arms or legs or laugh too loud, as that would be considered a type of rudeness to many people. The painting therefore "expresses the peasants' liberation from the stricter limits of upper classes" by failing to adhere to the expected social standards of the times
~Wikipedia about The Wedding Dance
For Art Thursday, we have
dancing.
The Wedding Dance (sometimes known as The Village Dance), 1566
by Pieter Bruegel the Elder
The Tightrope Dancer
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec
Danseuse au café (Dancer in a Cafe), 1912
Jean Metzinger
Capri Girl on a Rooftop
John Singer Sargent
1 comment:
These are all great paintings. You can just feel the joy in the Wedding Dance and the freedom of the Capri Girl on a Rooftop.
But I just *love* Metzinger's Danseuse au café.
And thanks for the info on the peasants' "liberation" from restricted dancing in the sixteenth century.
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