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A Masquerade at the King's Theatre, Haymarket

Giuseppi Grisoni

1724

paint

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Baroque Rococo painting 18th Century

Dominant colour

A Masquerade at the King's Theatre, Haymarket is a 1724 paint by Giuseppi Grisoni, a Baroque work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: Giuseppi Grisoni
When & what style?: 1724 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This painting shows a crowded stage party in a fancy London theater. Men in masks and wigs chat while actors perform in the background. A lady in white stands near the front, looking our way. Grisoni painted this when London’s theater scene was new and exciting. The costumes look almost real—you can see the shine on the satin and lace. Check out more Baroque art at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

The story of this work

Overview

The painting depicts a masquerade ball at the King’s Theatre in Haymarket, where figures in elaborate costumes fill a grand room adorned with chandeliers, while banquet tables laden with cakes line either side. Attributed to Giuseppe Grisoni based on an eighteenth-century reference, the work diverges from his usual highly finished style, instead presenting a lively social scene. The setting reflects the popularity of masquerades in early eighteenth-century London, inspired by larger festivities such as the Venetian carnival.

Read the full account in the museum source.

About the artist

Artist

Giuseppi Grisoni

Giuseppe Grisoni worked as a court painter in Florence but spent years in London, where he split his time between grand parties and printmaking in a cluttered attic.

See the richer artist page