Poised posed and porcelain: the visual language of dance in the eighteenth century

Eighteenth-century porcelain sculpture frequently records details of the language of dance and gesture so central to Baroque court culture. Control of the body and its movements was a discipline rigorously studied by all members of the nobility and dancing masters played one of the most important roles in an aristocratic education. They taught not only formal dance, but also the arts of deportment and elegant gesture. Refined body language distinguished a noble from the lower orders of society. The stance, carriage of the head and position of the arms seen in many porcelain figures reflect this sophisticated gestural code, often indicating to us that, whatever the details of the costume being worn, the subject of the figure is a member of the nobility. Music was also an essential accompaniment to celebrations and festivities, and dance was central to much court entertainment. Curator Matthew Martin explores the relationship between dance, visual language and eighteenth century porcelain sculpture, in conversation with dance historian Dr Jordan Beth Vincent and writer on dance Lee Christofis.