Ballet originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century. It began as a form of aristocratic entertainment, especially during lavish events like wedding celebrations, where dancing, music, and spectacle were combined. The word "ballet" comes from the Italian "ballare," meaning "to dance." Italian noblemen and women, often taught dance steps by dancing masters, participated in these early court dances. The art form was brought to France by the Italian noblewoman Catherine de Medici, wife of King Henry II of France, who funded ballet at the French court. This led to the development of "ballet de cour," a court ballet combining dance with music, poetry, and decor. During the reign of King Louis XIV, himself a passionate dancer, ballet was further popularized and standardized; he founded the Royal Academy of Dance (Académie Royale de Danse) in 1661, marking ballet as a formal art discipline. From the 17th century onward, ballet evolved from court entertainment to professional stage performance, primarily flourishing in France but also spreading through Europe.
In summary, ballet originated in Italy and was developed in the courts of Renaissance Italy and France, particularly under the patronage of Catherine de Medici and King Louis XIV. French terminology and codification of ballet have remained fundamental to the art form worldwide.
