9 Delightful Depictions of Dance

Move and shake with these artistic dancers from every time and place

By Google Arts & Culture

With content from Deutsche Grammophon, the Frankie Manning Foundation, and more

The Temptation of St. Anthony (Undated) by Henri Fantin-LatourThe National Museum of Western Art, Tokyo

The urge to move rhythmically seems hardwired into our brains. Throughout time, dance has been a nearly universal form of expression among cultures all over the globe.

Dance has also always influenced other art, and continues to do so today. Keep scrolling to dance through history!

1. Bhimbetka Rock Shelters

Our prehistoric ancestors painted dancing figures on these cave walls as early as 10,000 years ago, and that’s just the first depiction we’ve discovered. Click to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site using Street View.

A feast for Nebamun, the top half of a scene from the tomb-chapel of Nebamun (-1370/-1370)British Museum

2. Nebamun’s Tomb

This Egyptian painting of dancers and musicians was discovered in the Tomb of Nebamun in 1820. Nebamun is thought to have been an official under the rule of Amenhotep III, and this scene shows a fabulous feast in his honor.

In contrast to the dancers, the guests sit on fine furniture and wear elaborate garments. In addition to movement’s role in rituals, it has also been used to entertain throughout history.

Two Eagle Dancers (1936) by Stephen MopopeSmithsonian's National Postal Museum

3. ‘Two Eagle Dancers’

On the other side of the world, indigenous people throughout the Americas were also forging a rich tradition of dance. The Eagle Dance is an important part of the religious cultures of many North American tribes, including the Pueblo and Kiowa peoples.

Eagle Dancers continue to practice the tradition today, with some variation between tribes. Oftentimes, the dancers wear elaborate ceremonial apparel like that depicted in this 1936 painting by Kiowa artist Stephe Mopope.

There are more than 250 tribes of indigenous people in the U.S., and here at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, you can see cultural artifacts from many of them. Click to explore and learn about other tribes and their unique dances.

Indian Classical Dance - Odissi by Masako OnoMUDRA foundation

4. ‘Odissi’

Odissi is a type of classical dance which comes from Hindu temples in Odisha, India. Odissi uses choreography to convey a story or message, and is set to traditional music of the same name.

Here we see Japanese Odissi dancer Masako Ono at Mukteswara Temple, and below you can watch her in motion. Can you think of other forms of dance which convey a specific message?

Dance to the light... Prologue to DIWALI - the Festival of Lights - (ODISSI)MUDRA foundation

At the Moulin-Rouges, Two Women Walzing (1892) by Henri de Toulouse-LautrecNational Gallery Prague

5. ‘At the Moulin-Rouges, Two Women Waltzing’

One of the most important aspects of dance is the social function it fulfills. There is intimacy in dancing with a partner, and many friendships and romantic relationships still begin on the dance floor. 

This 1892 painting by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec shows french entertainer Cha-U-Kao dancing with her partner, while other patrons dance and chat around them.

Roda de Samba (Samba Circle) (1957) by Heitor dos PrazeresMuseum of Fine Arts, Boston

6. ‘Roda de Samba’

Samba is a type of music and dance which originated in Afro-Brazilian communities of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Now associated with the festive Carnaval, this art form was started by enslaved Africans in Brazil.

Among some of the early figures in the movement was artist and musician Heitor dos Prazeres. He was a prolific composer of samba music who then turned his artistic abilities to painting. Here, we see his painting of a roda de samba, or samba circle.

The White Ballet (1904) by Everett ShinnSmithsonian American Art Museum

7. ‘The White Ballet’

Sometimes, with dances like ballet, the performance is the pointe, so to speak. Concert or performance dances are typically tightly choreographed and set to specific music. 

Ballet originated in Renaissance Italy, but quickly became a worldwide phenomenon. It has influenced innumerable dance steps since. This view from the seats of a theater was painted by Everett Shinn in 1904.

Lindy Hop (1943) by Gjon MiliLIFE Photo Collection

8. ‘Lindy Hop’

The Lindy Hop is an exciting form of jazz or swing dance which was started by African American dancers in Harlem. Named for contemporary pilot Charles Lindbergh who had just “hopped the Atlantic,” the dance can be social, performative, choreographed, or improvised.

This photo was taken in 1943 by Gjon Mili, but the Lindy Hop is still popular today! You can watch a 2018 exhibition in the video below.

HellaBlackLindyHop Performance (2018-05-26) by Brett Dahlenburg - VideoFrankie Manning Foundation

9. Street Dance

Many modern dance forms originated organically outside of studios and theaters. Breakdancing, popping, locking, and many other styles of dance developed alongside hip hop music in the final decades of the 20th century. 

Hip hop dancing has become an art form of its own, merging elements of old and new. Below, watch German dancer Kassandra Wedel’s blend of past and present.

Kassandra Wedel dancing to Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67: 1. Allegro con brio (2020-03-02) by Kassandra Wedel and Ludwig van BeethovenDeutsche Grammophon

The Paris Opera Ballet in the 3rd Act dans l’acte III of "La Bayadère" (2015) by Little Shao / OnPOpéra national de Paris

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