The Dance of the World
mid-16th century
Medium
Engraving; second state
Dimensions
plate: 12 3/4 x 16 in. (32.4 x 40.7 cm) sheet: 16 1/4 x 20 1/16 in. (41.2 x 51 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, Gift of Mrs. Gardner Cassatt, by exchange, 1997
Accession Number
1997.370
Tags
Art Historical Context
**The Dance of the World is a lively mid-16th-century by Pieter Balten, Flemish artist known for his vibrant depictions of peasant life, festivals, and allegories. Created during the Northern Renaissance, this second-state print—measuring about 12¾ x 16 inches on the plate—captures a chaotic village dance filled with men and women twirling amid musical instruments like lutes and bagpipes, with playful dogs adding to the frenzy. Balten's style blends genre scenes with subtle satire, reflecting the era's fascination with worldly pleasures and folly. Engravings like this were revolutionary for t...