THE MINUET,L. SCHMUTZLER,Large 1893...

THE MINUET,L. SCHMUTZLER ,Large Historical German Art Print,1893 Antique Wood Engraving

DESCRIPTION: Minuet -The seventeenth century brought one of the most celebrated dances in our history... The Minuet (aka Menuet). The minuet was originally derived from the Branle of Poitou, France and was to capture every King and Queen and their court for over 150 years. The Minuet was the successor to the Courante. The name Minuet comes from the small steps (menu=small) that are taken during the dance. Most dances of the time had exaggerated steps and movements, the Minuet had very small steps and the movement was more on the graceful side. When the pupil knew the steps of the Courantewell, when he could turn his feet properly and control his movements, he was initiated into the mysteries of the graceful and ceremonious Minuet, which said "took three months to learn," and of which there were endless varieties.In its originality the minuet was a lively, spirited dance, (done in moderate triple rhythm) done around the room in the shape of an S, Later refined to a Z, and even later enlarged and followed up by the Gavotte until it was presented to Paris in 1650. After, it developed into a slow and stately dance, very, very elegant and enjoyed a simplicity that most other dances did not share and became the known as the "Walking Dance". Kissing was a big enjoyment of the dance as dancers were encouraged to kiss!, which made the Minuet somewhat seductive (For that period of time) During the time of then King Louis XIV (1638-1715), State balls became very elegant affairs with the Minuet being termed the "Queen of dances". The "Menuet de la cour" was first danced by Louis XIV, at Poitou France, in 1653. In 1662 Louis founded the: Royal Academy of Dancing, with dance master "Pierre Beauchamp" (1635-1705) in charge, Beauchamp did very little to excel this dance and it took a dancer by the name of Louis Pécourt (1655-1729) to make it the first dance of court in France, from there on it was the Big Cheese. The Minuet was more of an attitude and mixer than a real dance, but a dance it was. Proper dress and courtesy was highly encouraged. After a while the dance became so dull, it was seen as merely a way to show off your courtesy and etiquette skills. Women as well as men would eagerly ask the other for dances. Men would dance with swords attached to the waist and danced in their awkward boots. Brawls and duels were frequent and the heavy clanking of armor on the dance floor was annoying. Women would sometimes wear riding habits, but the "Master of Ceremonies" Beau Nash (1674-1761) at Bath (an English Resort) would change all this and add what is known as the "Code of Etiquette at Bath" (rules for conduct). Included in these code's would be the banishment of all swords, along with the banishment of the exuberant country dances, while the French dances would become the only known dances in these "Polite Society's" programs. These rules were the start of proper dance etiquette we still use somewhat today.

CONDITION:

Large Single Page Folio Wood Engraving. Blank on the Back. Image is clean, clear, sharp and in Very Good Condition. Suitable ageing. As Scanned.