The royal family sitting under a canopy, watching dancers perform the final ballet of 'La Costanza d'Ulisse' 1695 - 1705

Johann Ulrich Kraus created this engraving, "The royal family sitting under a canopy, watching dancers perform the final ballet of 'La Costanza d'Ulisse'," offering us a glimpse into the opulent world of European courtly life. Kraus, who lived during a time of rigid social hierarchies, presents a scene where power and artistry converge. The artwork captures a moment of leisure and entertainment for the elite. In the foreground, members of the royal family sit under an extravagant canopy, distanced from the larger audience seated at their feet. In the distance, dancers perform a ballet in a meticulously designed garden. Reflect on the layers of privilege and exclusion inherent in such displays. While the dancers embody grace and skill, their performance is ultimately for the pleasure of the ruling class. The engraving serves as a reminder of the performative nature of power. It invites us to consider how art, even in its most celebratory forms, can reflect the complex dynamics of society.