Final answer:
The model of dance for the French noble court was the Ballet, which flourished during the Rococo period under the influence of the French aristocracy. This shift from classical to ornate styles in art and dance reflected the luxurious and leisurely lifestyle of the nobles, which stood in sharp contrast to the common people and foreshadowed the French Revolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The dance that became the model of the French noble court is the Ballet. During the early 1700s, as the reign of Louis XIV came to an end, the French aristocracy shifted their focus from the classicism and "Grand Manner" of art, exemplified by figures like Poussin, toward the more ornate and decorative Rococo style. This period of time in France was marked by the aristocracy's pursuit of luxury, leisure, and romantic intrigues, creating a culture of excess that stood in contrast to the lives of the common people.
Various forms of dance were popular among the noble class, reflecting their lifestyles. Works like Figure 1.1.1: Hyacinthe Rigaud, Louis XIV and Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette illustrate the importance of dance as a social and cultural expression in French high society. Ballet, in particular, began to take its shape as a formalized art form during this time, later influencing courtly dances throughout Europe.
In art, the depiction of dance also conveyed the spirit of the times, whether in the vigorous activity of a wedding dance or the refined elegance of aristocratic balls, as shown in paintings by Degas and Renoir. The shift from the power and opulence of Versailles to the intimacy of Parisian salons reflected a larger move from the monarchy toward the aristocracy, ultimately setting the stage for the social upheaval that would culminate in the French Revolution of 1789.