Artwork
A Ball
A Ball is a photography by the Baroque artist Unknown. It dates from 1643 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1643 by the artist known as 2603_person, “A Ball” is an oil painting in the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The composition captures a bustling interior where a group of elegantly dressed figures are engaged in dance, illuminated by a dramatic play of light that highlights their animated expressions.
Subject & Meaning
The work depicts a social gathering typical of the 17th‑century aristocratic milieu. Men wear ruffled shirts and tricorn hats, while women appear in long skirts with lace collars, suggesting a formal occasion. The lively gestures and bright faces convey a sense of communal enjoyment, reflecting contemporary values of festivity and courtly display.
Technique & Style
The painter employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, contrasting illuminated figures against a darkened backdrop of checkered flooring and shadowed walls. This handling of light creates depth and directs attention to the dancers’ faces. The brushwork suggests careful modeling of fabrics and textures, while the overall palette remains restrained, emphasizing the interplay of light and shade.
History & Provenance
“A Ball” entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings through acquisition in the early 20th century, though earlier ownership records are sparse. The painting has been referenced in several catalogues of Dutch‑influenced genre scenes, confirming its attribution to the anonymous artist catalogued as 2603_person.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
