Arabesque (ballet)

Arabesque position with working leg à la hauteur (forming a 90° angle with supporting leg)

The arabesque is a basic ballet positions. It has been used since the 18th century.[1] The dancer stands on one leg (the supporting leg) with the other leg (the working leg) turned out and extended behind the body. There are many variations on this figure which are described in the standard ballet technique books.[2]

References

  1. Craine, Debra & Mackrell, Judith. 2000. The Oxford dictionary of dance. Oxford University Press, p21. ISBN 0-19-860106-9
  2. Grant, Gail [1967] 1982. Technical manual and dictionary of classical ballet. 3rd ed, Mineola NY: Dover Publications. ISBN 0-486-21843-0