This is a drawing of a grand ball or dance scene. The image depicts a group of figures elegantly dressed in flowing gowns and elaborate costumes partaking in a courtly dance inside a palatial hall. The intricate pencil and ink lines suggest movement and grace. The figures are in motion, some twirling while others maintain poised gestures. The background features ornate architectural details with tall columns and arches, enhancing the grandeur of the setting. This is rendered with light shading and careful line work, creating a sense of depth and drama. The drawing conveys an atmosphere of…
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Ballet from "The Rival Fairies"

Gabriel de Saint-Aubin (French, 1724 - 1780)

1748

Medium
pen and black ink with gray wash on light beige laid paper, with a loose border line by the artist in pen and gray ink
Classification
Drawing
Dimensions
overall: 13.7 x 20.6 cm (5 3/8 x 8 1/8 in.)
Culture
French
Museum
National Gallery of Art, CG-E
Credit line
Gift of Gertrude Laughlin Chanler
Rights
Public domain (NGA Open Access, CC0), as the museum states it.
Who can see it
Tweens profiles and older: its subjects are known and suit older children. How works are placed

View at the National Gallery of Art

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