Plate I, Two Ostriches, from Ballet of Ostriches, Ballet by Jean Baptiste Balbi for "La Finta Pazza" c. 17th century

Editor: This is "Plate I, Two Ostriches," by Valerio Spada. It's a delicate drawing, part of a ballet design. They seem a bit lonely, these ostriches. What do you make of it? Curator: Lonely, yes, but also poised, don't you think? Spada's captured this curious blend of elegance and awkwardness. Imagine those costumes! I see a playful commentary on courtly spectacle, maybe even a wink at the audience. What does ballet mean to you? Editor: I guess I never thought about the absurdity of it all. The ostriches make it so clear. Thanks! Curator: Precisely! Art often uses humor to reveal deeper truths. Now, I’ll never look at ballet the same way again, either.