It is shameful that dancing should renounce the empire it might assert over the mind and only endeavor to please the sight.
Jean-Georges NoverreRead
The defect in wisdom and taste which exists among the majority of dancers is due to the bad education which they generally receive. They apply themselves only to the material side of their art, they learn to jump more or less high, they strive mechanically to execute a number of steps, and like children, who utter a great many words devoid of sense and relation, they execute many phrases of steps devoid of taste and grace.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the importance of proper education in dance, emphasizing that many dancers focus only on physical skills instead of the artistry and grace involved.
Jean-Georges Noverre critiques the education system for dancers, asserting that many of them lack true wisdom and artistic taste due to inadequate training. He asserts that dancers often emphasize technical skills, such as jumping and executing steps, without understanding the deeper artistic expression and grace required in dance. This results in a mechanical performance that lacks the beauty and emotional connection of true artistry.
Themes
DanceEducationWisdomArtistryTaste
In practice
Example use cases
In a dance workshop, an instructor might cite this quote to emphasize the need for artistic expression over mere technical ability.
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