Who painted Le bal paré?

Le bal paré was painted by Antoine-Jean Duclos in 1774.

Where can I see Le bal paré?

Le bal paré is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Le bal paré?

Le bal paré is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Le bal paré

Antoine-Jean Duclos , 1774

Le bal paré is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Antoine-Jean Duclos. It dates from 1774 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

The composition captures the bustle of a formal gathering, with participants positioned in various poses—standing, seated, or partnered in movement.

Antoine‑Jean Duclos’s print, titled Le bal paré, dates from 1774 and combines etching with engraving techniques. The work depicts an opulent interior filled with elegantly dressed figures engaged in dance and conversation, set against gilded walls, draped windows, and suspended chandeliers. The composition captures the bustle of a formal gathering, with participants positioned in various poses—standing, seated, or partnered in movement.

Subject & Meaning

The scene presents a lavish ballroom, illustrating the social rituals of eighteenth‑century aristocratic life. Attendees in period costume mingle and waltz, emphasizing the importance of display, refinement, and communal celebration within elite circles. The title, translating to “The Fancy Ball,” underscores the emphasis on ornamentation and the performative nature of such events.

Technique & Style

Duclos employs a hybrid of etching and engraving, using fine, intersecting lines to render texture, shadow, and intricate detail. The contrast between delicate etched washes and the sharper, incised engraving marks creates depth, particularly in the sumptuous fabrics, gilded trim, and the luminous effect of the chandeliers. This interplay of line work gives the print a tactile quality.

History & Provenance

Created in the late Ancien Régime period, Le bal paré reflects contemporary tastes for genre scenes that documented fashionable gatherings. While specific ownership records are scarce, the print has been catalogued among Duclos’s oeuvre and appears in collections focusing on eighteenth‑century French prints, illustrating the artist’s engagement with popular social subjects of his time.