A rond de jambe, it should be explained parenthetically, is a circle described by the foot. A grand rond de jambe is a circle (in any plane) described by the straight leg. A petit rond de jambe is made by the lower leg, working from a stationary knee as pivot. Cf. grands and petits battements.
As the pirouette sur le cou-de-pied has its virtue of sparkle, its cousin the renversé is endowed with a species of bewildering, bacchanalian ecstasy. Words and diagrams fail to convey an impression of its qualities; but analysis of its mechanics is worth while, in order that it may be recognised when seen, and not allowed to pass without yielding its full and due pleasure to him who sees it.
Preceding the position indicated in figure 65, the dancer, placing his weight on the left foot, has raised the right foot in a developpé forward, and around on a horizontal plane “outward.” Figure 65 shows the right foot at a point that may be conveniently designated as the quarter-circle. In figure 66 the right foot continues to sweep back, and the body begins to lean forward—or away from the active leg. This lean of the body has become more pronounced in figure 67, in which the active foot has reached the three-quarter circle. Note the sweep of the left hand accelerating the movement of the turn, and its continuance through the remaining figures.
A developpé has preceded the position in figure 65, as indicated in vertical dotted line. The body begins to turn as the active foot completes a half-circle (66). In 67, note that the body leans forward.
Up to the position in figure 68 the body has leaned forward—or in other words, has been chest down. In figure 69 it is seen chest up. Figure 68 is the intermediate position. In performance the turn-over takes place so quickly that only a trained eye sees just when it is done.
The right foot touches the floor at the point of completing the half-circle. The body continues leaning back, straightening up in figure 70 after describing a round body-sweep started in figure 69. Figure 70 finds the weight on the right foot; the left is raised on the first temps of a pas de bourrée, very quick, which brings the feet to fifth position as in figure 71. The right-handsweep upward, meantime, has been continuous.