Artwork
The Waltz
The Waltz is a watercolor work on paper by Burney. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This 1750 watercolour portrays a bustling ballroom scene in which a waltz is in progress, yet the atmosphere is deliberately chaotic.
About this work
Overview
This 1750 watercolour portrays a bustling ballroom scene in which a waltz is in progress, yet the atmosphere is deliberately chaotic. The artist fills the canvas with numerous figures in period dress, scattered objects, and a sense of disorder that undercuts the elegance normally associated with the dance.
Subject & Meaning
At the centre, a young couple bows their heads, contrasting with the surrounding revelers who appear clumsy or embarrassed. The work satirises contemporary dance etiquette, employing exaggerated gestures, fallen dancers, broken glass, and even a kitten and puppy tangled together on the floor to highlight the folly of over‑formalised social rituals.
Technique & Style
Executed in watercolour, the piece relies on fluid washes and fine line work to render the intricate costumes and varied textures of the crowded interior. The artist’s use of bright pigments and rapid brushstrokes creates a lively, almost theatrical quality, while the detailed inscriptions mocking dance rules add a textual layer to the visual humor.
History & Provenance
The drawing bears the artist’s signature, confirming authorship, and dates to the mid‑18th century, a period when the waltz was emerging as a popular yet controversial social dance. Its survival in private collections suggests it was valued for its witty commentary as well as its decorative appeal.
Context
During the 1750s, the waltz sparked debate over propriety, prompting satirical artworks that critiqued its perceived impropriety. This watercolour fits within that tradition, using caricature to reflect contemporary anxieties about changing social norms and the loss of decorum in public gatherings.
Artist & collection
Artist
Edward Francis Burney (7 September 1760 – 16 December 1848) was an English painter. His middle name is sometimes given as "Francisco" or "Francesco".
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