Guide to "Le Menuet de la Cour" drawing attributed to Le Couteur C0455
"Le Menuet de la Cour" drawing attributed to Le Couteur
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George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center
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speccoll@gmu.edu
URL: https://scrc.gmu.edu
Amanda Brent
Administrative Information
Use Restrictions
Public Domain. There are no known restrictions.
Access Restrictions
There are no access restrictions.
Preferred Citation
"Le Menuet de la Cour" drawing attributed to Le Couteur, C0455, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.
Acquisition Information
Purchased by Steve Gerber from J and J Lubrano Music Antiquarians on 10/13/2011.
Processing Information
Processing completed by Amanda Brent in September 2020. EAD markup completed by Amanda Brent in September 2020. This item was formerly part of the Performing Arts Manuscript Materials collection, C0215.
Historical Information
The Minuet, or "le Menuet" in French, was a couple's dance, and was massively popular in the 17th and 18th century French and English courts. It was especially popular during the reign of Louis XIV of France. The minuet was known for its extremely intricate moves, and was synonymous with etiquette and class ranking. According to dance historian Julia Sutton, "Following the strictest order of protocol, each couple danced alone before their peers and addressed the Presence (those personages of highest rank who sat at the top of the hall) while, presumably, they entertained each other through their charm and flirtatiousness. The goal was to demonstrate by their exquisite manners, dress, and skill that they were indeed worthy adornments to society; their observers were active participants in the dance as well, judging every step and gesture with the utmost refinement and - should the dancers be truly elegant and charming - with great pleasure." The dance was so popular, minuet sequences appeared in operas and symphonies of the day, including Mozart's "Don Giovanni" and Handel's "Berenice."
Scope and Content
Original pencil drawing of a couple performing the minuet, with accompanying musicians and onlookers, presumably set in a French ball. The drawing is titled "Le Menuet de la Cour" which translates from the French to "The Minuet of the Court." The drawing is attributed to La Couteur, created circa 1775. There is an inscription on the back from 1819.
Arrangement
This is a single item collection.
Related Material
The Special Collections Research Center holds many other collections and materials on the Performing Arts.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
This drawing is roughly 16" by 20".
Bibliography
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. "Minuet." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., September 18, 2019. https://www.britannica.com/art/minuet.
The Minuet: An Elegant PhoenixAuthor(s): Julia SuttonSource: Dance Chronicle, 1985, Vol. 8, No. 3/4 (1985), pp. 119-152Published by: Taylor & Francis, Ltd.Stable URL: http://www.jstor.com/stable/1567579.