The Rope Dance
The Met
Artist: Léonard Defrance(Flemish, 1735–1805)
Department: European Paintings
Classification: Paintings
Medium: Oil on wood
Dimensions: 19 7/8 x 28 5/8 in. (50.5 x 72.7 cm)
Credit Line: Purchase, 1871
Visual Descriptions
AI GeneratedVisual Summary
Brief Description
A tightrope walker on a rope, a costumed man below, and a surrounding crowd
Detailed Description
An outdoor performance features a tightrope walker and an audience. In the center, a performer, dressed in white puffed shorts, a white top, and a pink cap, balances on a taut rope. She holds a long, thin pole horizontally. Her left leg is bent, her right leg extended, and her feet are in yellow shoes. Below her, a man in a white, ruffled costume stands on the ground, looking up at her with his right arm extended and holding a dark hat. To the left, a raised wooden platform holds several male spectators, some seated, some standing, all observing the performance. To the right, a larger crowd of men and women, dressed in various clothing including tricorn hats, bonnets, and long coats, gathers to watch. Some are seated on benches, while others stand, forming a semi-circle around the performance area. A thick rope acts as a barrier between the audience and the performers. The background consists of tall, rustic wooden panels, forming a temporary outdoor stage or enclosure. A large, light-colored canvas canopy stretches across the top of the scene. The ground is a dark, uneven surface. The overall color palette is muted, with browns, grays, and creams dominating, accented by occasional brighter colors in the clothing.
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