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Masquerade

German 16th Century

1514

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Renaissance Renaissance

Dominant colour

Masquerade is a 1514 ink by German 16th Century, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: German 16th Century
When & what style?: 1514 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This drawing shows a lively crowd of people dressed in colorful, fancy costumes. Men and women wear bright clothes—reds, greens, and blues—with some holding masks or gloves. A few carry sticks or fans, and one person holds what looks like a feathered mask. The background has plain walls and a balcony with empty chairs. Notice how the artist used simple shapes and flat colors instead of deep shadows. The faces are a bit stiff, but the movement in their poses feels busy and full of energy. If you like this, check out more about technique: watercolor, glazing.