Dance: A Very Social History by Carol McD., Don McDonagh, et al. Wallace

by Carol Wallace

Published to coincide with an exhibition of dance costumes at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, this brings together four essays by different authors, each treating an aspect of social dancing. Covered are balls of Europe and America from the 18th century to the present; dance steps, from Renaissance Italy to contemporary America; clothing associated with balls; and dance as it has been depicted in the visual arts. Social mores are frequently reflected in dance etiquette, and this multifaceted work offers much to the student of social and cultural history as well as to historians of costume or the dance. Each essay is generously illustrated with well-chosen contemporary paintings, drawings, engravings, or photographs.

Genres: History, Art

Hardcover

First published December 1, 1986

About the author

Carol Wallace, the great-great-granddaughter of Lew Wallace, is the author most recently of a new version of "Ben-Hur." It is the official tie-in of the new major film, releasing in August of 2016.

Carol is also the co-author of "To Marry an English Lord," which was one of the inspirations for "Downton Abbey," and author of the historical novel
"Leaving Van Gogh." Previous titles have included humor, parenting, and social history. In 2006 Wallace received a M.A. in art history from Columbia University. The research for her M.A. thesis provided the foundation for "Leaving van Gogh." A 1977 graduate of Princeton University, Wallace lives in New York.

Reviews

[Lucy]

Covers great balls and dancing parties of Europe, England, and America from the 18th century to the present; the dance steps themselves from the early basse danze of Italy to the twist of contemporary America; the evolution of the ball gown and other costumes designed for dancing; and the way in which dance is depicted in works of art through the centuries. Lots of photos; picture credits and additional information about the pictures are given at the back.
Published in 1986 so it's not up to date, but good for the periods up till then.