![MALPIED (fl. 18th century). Traite´ sur l'art de la danse. Paris: M. Bouin, [c.1770].](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2019/NYR/2019_NYR_17037_0221_001(malpied_traite%C2%B4_sur_lart_de_la_danse_paris_m_bouin_c1770060349).jpg?w=1)
![MALPIED (fl. 18th century). Traite´ sur l'art de la danse. Paris: M. Bouin, [c.1770].](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2019/NYR/2019_NYR_17037_0221_000(malpied_traite%C2%B4_sur_lart_de_la_danse_paris_m_bouin_c1770060349).jpg?w=1)
![MALPIED (fl. 18th century). Traite´ sur l'art de la danse. Paris: M. Bouin, [c.1770].](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2019/NYR/2019_NYR_17037_0221_002(malpied_traite%C2%B4_sur_lart_de_la_danse_paris_m_bouin_c1770060349).jpg?w=1)
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MALPIED (fl. 18th century). Traite´ sur l'art de la danse. Paris: M. Bouin, [c.1770].
First edition of the first dance treatise to provide a complete codification of ballet arm positions—a major landmark in both ballet and data visualization. Malpied’s Baroque dance manual prescribes dance movements using the innovative notation system published in 1700 by Raoul-Auger Feuillet—the coiner of the term chorégraphie. His method “shows a marked advance on the work of Feuillet and Rameau in the simplification of the recordings of dance steps” (Fletcher). With the standardization of five ports de bras, or arm positions, to match the five foot positions developed over the previous century, “the neoclassical demand to harmonise content and appearance had taken hold of the entire body” (Weickmann). Malpied, a dancing master who operated in the shadow of the Paris Opera, also describes here the minuet and l'allemande—two forms of popular dance in favor at the time. There is an undated second edition with 166 pages. Fletcher no. 37; Leslie, p. 337; Magriel, p. 82; Moroda, p. 378; see Dorion Weickmann, “The ballet d’action of the eighteenth century,” in The Cambridge Companion to Ballet (2007).
Octavo (204 x 145mm). [8 pp.] 122 pp. Entirely engraved. Engraved title signed Ribie're; music and dance notation and diagrams throughout (slight darkening and soiling to title, dedication leaf strengthened at inner margin). Modern quarter calf over marbled boards (faint wear). Provenance: Edward Tufte (1942-present, pioneer in the field of data visualization and information design; bookplate, his sale, 2 December 2010, lot 51).
First edition of the first dance treatise to provide a complete codification of ballet arm positions—a major landmark in both ballet and data visualization. Malpied’s Baroque dance manual prescribes dance movements using the innovative notation system published in 1700 by Raoul-Auger Feuillet—the coiner of the term chorégraphie. His method “shows a marked advance on the work of Feuillet and Rameau in the simplification of the recordings of dance steps” (Fletcher). With the standardization of five ports de bras, or arm positions, to match the five foot positions developed over the previous century, “the neoclassical demand to harmonise content and appearance had taken hold of the entire body” (Weickmann). Malpied, a dancing master who operated in the shadow of the Paris Opera, also describes here the minuet and l'allemande—two forms of popular dance in favor at the time. There is an undated second edition with 166 pages. Fletcher no. 37; Leslie, p. 337; Magriel, p. 82; Moroda, p. 378; see Dorion Weickmann, “The ballet d’action of the eighteenth century,” in The Cambridge Companion to Ballet (2007).
Octavo (204 x 145mm). [8 pp.] 122 pp. Entirely engraved. Engraved title signed Ribie're; music and dance notation and diagrams throughout (slight darkening and soiling to title, dedication leaf strengthened at inner margin). Modern quarter calf over marbled boards (faint wear). Provenance: Edward Tufte (1942-present, pioneer in the field of data visualization and information design; bookplate, his sale, 2 December 2010, lot 51).