Artwork
Society Ball [verso]
![Society Ball [verso], by George Bellows, charcoal, 1907](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/george-bellows--society-ball-verso--9ac6089fba024416-w1024.webp)
Society Ball [verso] is a charcoal drawing by George Bellows. It dates from 1907 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Society Ball [verso] is a drawing by George Bellows, executed circa 1907, combining charcoal and pastel on wove paper to depict a vibrant ballroom scene.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing captures a crowded, dynamic ballroom populated by women in long gowns and men in formal attire, conveying the energy and liveliness of the social gathering.
Technique & Style
Bellows employed quick, loose lines and smudged charcoal accents amidst soft pastel hues, prioritizing the capture of movement over polished portraiture, resulting in an intimate, immersive quality.
History & Provenance
Created around 1907, this work aligns with Bellows' propensity for depicting lively, everyday scenes, though specific provenance details are not provided here.
Context
Part of Bellows' early 20th-century American output, Society Ball [verso] reflects his interest in capturing modern urban life and social interactions.
Artist & collection
Artist
George Wesley Bellows (August 12 or August 19, 1882 – January 8, 1925) was an American realist painter, known for his bold depictions of urban life in New York City.
"Einer dirne schön gesicht muss allgemein sein wie's sonnenlicht" ("A Pretty Girl's Face is Like the Sunshine")
The Green Room
A la table de jeu (1ère planche) (At the Gambling Table) (first plate)
Boeuf sur le Toit
Salle de jeu (Gambling Room)
The Waltz
Salle de jeu (Gambling Room)
Le Bar
A la table de jeu (1ère planche) (At the Gambling Table) (first plate)
Ballroom at the Shire Hall, Chelmsford