Two Dancing Couples Led by Torch-bearing Knights c. 1512 - 1515

This anonymous watercolor, created between 1512 and 1515, depicts a lively scene of a courtly dance. Two torch-bearing knights, dressed in elaborate feathered hats and patterned tunics, lead the procession, while four couples dance gracefully in the foreground. The lively scene is further enlivened by a musician playing a stringed instrument and a group of spectators observing the dance. The depiction of this formal dance in the early 16th century provides a glimpse into the social customs and festive spirit of the time.