1867
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
A Parisian Ball - Dancing at the Mabille, Paris is a 1867 ink by American 19th Century, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This drawing shows a crowded dance floor at a fancy ball. Men in suits and top hats stand with women in long dresses and big skirts. Everyone looks busy talking or moving, and the room behind them is packed with more people watching. The lines are scratchy and dark, giving it a rough, busy feel. The title says it’s from a Parisian ball at the Mabille, but the artist used quick, sketchy lines to show the energy of the crowd. The scene feels lively and a little chaotic, like a snapshot of a real party. If you like this style, check out the technique: engraving.
This artist painted everyday American life in the 1800s. Look at *Farmhouse in Mahantango Valley*—a quiet, sunlit scene of rural Pennsylvania. *Boy and Girl* shows two children standing close, their faces turned toward…
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