Why did pointework become important during the Romantic ballet era?

During the Romantic ballet era of the 1830s and 1840s, pointe work became essential because it was perfectly suited to the aesthetic demands of the period.1

Romantic ballets frequently featured themes centered on the dichotomy between the real world and the spiritual world, populating stages with ethereal, otherworldly characters such as sylphs, fairies, and ghosts. By dancing on the tips of the toes, ballerinas could create a sense of weightlessness and illusion, effectively embodying these supernatural beings. This technical advancement, championed by figures like Marie Taglioni, allowed choreographers to expand their expressive vocabulary and better highlight the individual qualities of their dancers as they portrayed these non-human roles.21