On view in the Dance Collection of the Library, it will examine the key elements and styles of the baroque which burgeoned in western Europe during the 17th century, and remained prominent throughout the 18th century. With prints and drawings from the Library's collections, the exhibition documents the costumes, dance patterns, poses, significant dancers, teachers, and designers of the time.
Admission is free.
A forerunner of contemporary ballet, with which modern audiences are familiar, baroque dance is shown to have complex floor patterns, a language of hand gestures, and close interplay between dancers and music. The exhibition also displays four of the prolific engravings by Jean Mariette, providing detailed costume information for both male and female baroque performers. The New Baroque also includes rare prints of grand balls and dances given at royal and aristocratic gatherings, including a detailed engraving by Lepautre of a dance pavillion at Versailles, 1678. The New York Baroque Dance Company is an internationally-recognized leader in historical dance. Under the artistic direction of Catherine Turocy, the company's repertoire includes over 300 dances and opera-ballets from England, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.