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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 painting shows a lively crowd in bright, bold colors. People in fancy clothes—some in red, green, and gold—are dancing and talking. A few wear masks or hats with feathers, while others hold hands or wave fans. The background looks like a balcony with empty windows. The colors are flat and bright, not very realistic. The artist used simple shapes and outlines, which makes the scene feel busy but not detailed. Next, check out the technique: watercolor, glazing to see how artists built up color in layers.