The Ballet of the Night
by GISSEY, Henri, Pen, wash and gouache, 280 x 410 mm
In the first half of the 17th century court ballet became an indispensable noble pastime. Contemporary chroniclers admired the artistic diversity of the Ballet of Night (1653), elaborated by Giacomo Torelli based on verses by Isaac de Benserade, which called for over one hundred costumes. These were created by Henri Gissey “designer ordinary of the King’s Revels and Ballets.” In this simultaneously learned and childish pantomime, various Temperaments emerge during the night, then Dawn arrives, and finally Day appears in the last act, when Reveries have invaded everything.