What Was Ballet Inspired By?

Ballet

Ballet is a highly stylized form of dance that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century. It was developed in France and Russia as a concert dance form in the 19th and early 20th centuries and has since become one of the most popular performance styles around the world. The intricate steps, graceful movements, and beautiful costumes associated with ballet captivate audiences.

Ballet was influenced by many different cultures and art forms, including ancient Greek mythology, Italian courtly dances, French Baroque theatrical works, Italian commedia dell’arte, English masques, Spanish folk dances, Russian Imperial ballets and modern dance styles such as jazz and contemporary.

The fundamental technique of ballet was developed by Italian Renaissance courtiers at the end of the 15th century. This technique is known as ‘ballet d’action’, which combined mime with steps to tell stories or express emotions. The term ‘ballet’ itself is derived from a French word meaning ‘to dance’.

In 1661, Louis XIV established the Académie Royale de Danse (Royal Academy of Dance) to codify ballet technique.

This marked a major turning point in ballet history, as it became an established art form rather than just an entertaining pastime for aristocrats.

The popularity of ballet reached new heights during the Romantic period (1830-50). Romantic-era ballets often featured elaborate costumes and sets that created enchanted worlds on stage. This period also saw the development of romantic pas de deux (couples dances), which highlighted emotional relationships between dancers.

What Was Ballet Inspired By?


Ballet has been inspired by many different cultures and art forms throughout its long history. From its roots in 15th century Italian courtly dances to its flourishing popularity during the Romantic era, ballet has been shaped by ancient Greek mythology, French Baroque productions, Spanish folk traditions and more modern forms such as jazz and contemporary dance. Through this combination of influences from various cultures across time periods, ballet has become one of the most beloved performance styles around the world today.