Monogrammist MZ: The grand ball (1500)

(Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

An engraving by an unknown German artist with the notname 'Monogrammist or Master MZ' or (because the artist signed his work with the letters MZ). This print shows a ball which is held at the court of the duke of Bavaria. Various couples are dancing or talking to each other in a large room. The couples are performing a 'basse danse', a slow courtly dance in which the partners move quietly and gracefully in a slow gliding or walking motion. The musicians are divided in two groups in the upper left and right corners (in the upper right corner is also a jester who is watching). In the upper left corner are two musicians while in the upper right corner is another musician, two men and a jester. Sitting at a table near the window is a couple playing cards. The man is duke Albrecht IV of Bavaria (1447-1508) and the woman is his wife Kunigunde of Austria (1465-1520). Engraving from 1500.

An example of a Basse Dance (link to youtube): Basse danse & Saltarelle