The Rudiments of Genteel Behaviour

Item author: Francois Nivelon
Item date: 1737
Grant Value: 2,250
Item cost: 4,500
Item date acquired: 2002
Item institution: Gainsborough's House
Town/City: Sudbury
County: Suffolk

A scarce book on dance deportment and etiquette privately published by Nivelon, a French dancing master in Stamford, Lincolnshire. As well as twelve plates illustrating correct posture by Louis Philippe Boitard, there are two prints by Hubert Francois Gravelot, thought to be trial engravings for the publication. The elegant attitdues depicted were often echoed by portraitists of the day, which makes this book of particular interest to art historians

Item Provenance
Simon Finch Rare Books
Francois Nivelon's 'Rudiments of Genteel Behaviour', 1737. FNL grant 2002. Image courtesy of Gainsborough's House
Francois Nivelon's 'Rudiments of Genteel Behaviour', 1737. FNL grant 2002. Image courtesy of Gainsborough's House
'To Give or Receive', from NIvelon's 'Rudiments of Genteel Behaviour'. FNL grant 2002. Image courtesy of Gainsborough's House.
'To Give or Receive', from NIvelon's 'Rudiments of Genteel Behaviour'. FNL grant 2002. Image courtesy of Gainsborough's House.