Who painted A Fancy-Dress Ball?

A Fancy-Dress Ball was painted by Unknown in 1707.

Where can I see A Fancy-Dress Ball?

A Fancy-Dress Ball is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

Artwork

A Fancy-Dress Ball

A Fancy-Dress Ball is a photography by Unknown. It dates from 1707 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1707 by the artist identified as 34589_person, “A Fancy‑Dress Ball” is an image held in the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The work depicts an interior gathering where numerous figures, dressed in a mixture of elaborate and utilitarian garments, occupy a dimly lit space illuminated by isolated warm patches that suggest a staged performance.

Subject & Meaning

The scene presents a crowded social event in which participants wear period costumes, some masked or crowned, while others appear in simpler attire. The juxtaposition of aristocratic dress with more modest fabrics hints at a commentary on class mingling or theatrical masquerade, inviting viewers to consider the fluid boundaries between status and role within festive gatherings.

Technique & Style

The artist employs a pronounced chiaroscuro effect, contrasting deep shadows with concentrated golden highlights that outline figures and architectural elements. This manipulation of light creates a sense of depth and drama, while the ambiguous backdrop—resembling a rocky cavern or theatrical set—adds a mysterious, almost staged quality to the composition.

History & Provenance

Attributed to 34589_person and dated to the early eighteenth century, the image entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings through acquisition records that trace its presence in the institution’s collection to the early twentieth century. No further documented ownership changes are noted, and the work remains a representative example of period genre imagery within the museum’s ethnographic context.