Fandango, from National Dances (N225, Type 1) issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

This is "Fandango," a trade card printed by Kinney Bros., circa 1869. Here, the dancer’s poised gesture and elaborate costume – complete with sash, bolero jacket, and castanets – speak of the Fandango's passionate nature. The Fandango, a courtship dance, is laden with symbolism. Its roots trace back to ancient Iberia, yet echoes resonate in the art of the Minoans. Think of the bull-leaping frescoes of Knossos, the charged movements, the display of virility, and the dangerous dance of life. Consider the sash. It cinches the waist, emphasizing the dancer’s torso, mirroring the belts worn in ancient fertility rituals. The rapid footwork and rhythmic clapping of the castanets, are akin to the ecstatic movements seen in Dionysian rites. The dance, therefore, becomes a vessel. It carries primal human drives, a dance with life, death, and rebirth. These symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings throughout history, a testament to the enduring power of cultural memory.