Beauty and the Beast (1991) is one of the most beloved Disney movies from the so-called "Golden Era" of Disney animation. I recall seeing it in theaters at an age when I thought I was too cool to watch Disney films (tween years can be tricky!) and then thinking it was the greatest movie I'd ever seen. The castle! The books!
Now, as a much older and somewhat wiser person who also happens to be an art historian, I enjoy watching it for all the lush details and nods to art history that Disney animators included. There is much to say about this film. Here, I want to focus primarily on the iconic ballroom dance scene in the movie, set to the catchy "Tale as Old as Time."
French decorative arts—especially Rococo porcelains—inspired the stunning visuals of Beauty and the Beast. From Belle’s iconic yellow dress to the unforgettable ballroom dance scene with the Beast, Disney animators borrowed heavily from 18th-century art and design to create a world that feels both magical, refined, and courtly. Its influence is, understandably, most present in scenes inside the Beast's castle, a space for royalty.
Beauty and the Beast and Rococo Art
Rococo art flourished in France during the 18th century and is famous for its ornate, playful style. Think soft pastel colors, swirling gold details, powdered wigs, and delicate porcelain objects—among other things. It's a style that has influenced peoples and places worldwide since it was popularized in France, primarily in Paris. Today, people either love or loathe the Rococo (if you don't enjoy baby pink, well...).
Disney’s animators drew from this extravagant aesthetic to give Beauty and the Beast its rich, elegant atmosphere. It also helps to situate the film in France since the Rococo originated there.
Walt Disney himself had long been fascinated with French decorative arts, so it’s no surprise that the legacy of the Rococo style made its way into this film. I should mention that Disney regularly turns to Rococo art for inspiration; this film is not the only one with serious Rococo vibes. The opulent furniture, intricate tapestries, and gilded details seen throughout the Beast’s castle all embody this artistic tradition.
I want to add another layer to why the use of the Rococo works especially well in this Disney movie. The Rococo-ification of the royal castle and all the anthropomorphized objects (or really humans bewitched as objects, more specifically) is supposed to remind us of the extraordinary wealth of the Beast when he was a spoiled and egocentric prince, one too focused on the beauty of things on the surface. At its core, the story is about two people finding beauty and love based on their mutual character and actions—not their appearance. The over-the-top Rococo style works well as a symbol of the Beast's earlier and depraved moral character.
Porcelain and Belle’s Yellow Dress
One of the more interesting inspirations for Belle’s look, especially her famous yellow gown, came from 18th-century porcelain figurines. Disney’s animators studied pieces from renowned porcelain manufacturers like Meissen (made in Germany) and Höchst. These depicted elegantly dressed dancers and singers in flowing gowns.
Fun fact: Early concept art for Belle shows her with powdered hair, just like the aristocrats of 18th-century France! While this idea was ultimately scrapped, it shows how deeply Disney’s artists were immersed in the Rococo world when designing the film. Brunette pre-teen me is very relieved that animators decided to alter her hair.
A small porcelain sculpture of two opera singers shows a woman wearing a dress similarly shaped to Belle's gown, complete with a vibrant yellow color.
In one particular Höchst figurine set, dancers are in poses strikingly similar to Belle and the Beast’s dance in the iconic ballroom scene. The way their arms arc upwards gracefully, the subtle swoop of their hands—even the balletic poses—all seem familiar when watching the Disney film.
The animators borrowed these graceful movements and the Rococo flair from porcelain, like the two above, to create one of the most memorable moments in Disney's history.
Bringing Decorative Arts to Life (Figuratively and Literally)
It’s not always easy to get people excited about decorative arts. I've experienced this firsthand in the classroom and in museums. It pains my heart because some of the most fascinating (and important!) stories in art history are told by objects categorized as decorative arts.
In my opinion, Beauty and the Beast does a brilliant job of bringing the elegance of 18th-century design to life. A few years ago, The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City held an incredible exhibition on Rococo art's influence on Disney—called "Inspiring Walt Disney"—and many of the objects displayed there echoed the same aesthetic seen in the film.
The exhibition included concept art, movie stills, and props paired with Rococo art that inspired the film's creators or at least looked similar to the types of objects that did. Some fo the pairings of porcelain, furniture, and textiles made it very clear that Beauty and the Beast and Rococo art were connected.
It was an excellent way to demonstrate the importance of decorative arts, including porcelain figurines, and their enduring influence today. Disney’s attention to detail helped introduce new audiences to this artistic style—whether they decided to love or loathe the Rococo is still up for grabs. Or maybe this love/hate relationship is a tale as old as time?
CITE THIS PAGE: Kilroy-Ewbank, Dr. Lauren. "Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Rococo Art: Porcelain Inspired the Iconic Dance Scene." February 18, 2025. lkilroyewbank.com <Insert date you accessed> https://www.lkilroyewbank.com/post/disney-s-beauty-and-the-beast-and-rococo-art-porcelain-dance-scene
Stay tuned for other posts about Rococo art (that may or may not connect to Disney).
Learn more
Read more about Rococo furniture from The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Heilbrunn Timeline
Here is an excellent interview with the curator of Inspiring Walt Disney about the Rococo and the (Disney) Renaissance
If you are looking for a short introduction to the Rococo style that is deeper than what I've written here (before I write something!), I like this short primer from the Victoria and Albert Museum
Wolf Burchard, Inspiring Walt Disney: The Animation of French Decorative Arts (Met Publications, 2021).
Melissa Lee Hyde, Making Up the Rococo: François Boucher and His Critics (Getty Publications, 2006).
Comments