Fifteenth-century Italy produced the earliest known treatises on the art of the dance. These contained the choreographic descriptions and music of composed dances performed by the nobility and the bourgeoisie on public and private occasions. The treatises also provided the first known formulation of a theory of the dance, and set out its basic principles. The authors of the choreographies and their music, in particular two dancing-masters, were concerned that dance be recognised as both art and science. The liberal arts of the time included music and architecture, but not dance or painting. It is also quite possible that, by endeavouring to emulate the Medieval and Renaissance musicus (the philosopher of music who dealt only with the theory of his art), the dancing-masters were attempting to improve their own social and economic standing as well.