Final answer:
The 17th century French court saw significant dances like the Ballet de Cour, Ballet Comique de la Reine, and the Bourrée, reflecting the extravagance of King Louis XIV's reign and the aristocracy's taste.
Step-by-step explanation:
- The 17th century French court was renowned for its vibrant culture and grandiose dances. King Louis XIV himself, dubbed 'The Sun King', was a passionate dancer and the patron of many art forms, including dance.
- The most significant dances produced in the 17th century include the Ballet de Cour, Ballet Comique de la Reine, and the Bourrée, which were all popular at court.
- These dances were a blend of Italian and French choreographic influences and often thematically based on mythology or heroic epics, featuring elaborate costumes and scenography.
- The Ballet Comique de la Reine is regarded as one of the first ballets and a significant marker in the dance history that entertained the aristocracy with its complexity and long performances.
- The Bourrée, which started as a folk dance, became stylized and translated into courtly entertainment, eventually influencing later forms such as the minuet.
- Such court dances were not just entertainment; they were also manifestations of the power, wealth, and artistic taste of the French aristocracy before the rise of ballet as a professional art form.