Masked ball, Eugenio Lucas Villaamil, ca 1895 by Atelier Liesjes

Arriving at the theatre on the night of a masked ball.

Bal masqué is an event where many participants are in costume with a mask.

Here all guests arrive for an evening out, dressed for the ball, in the dark of the night. It is frivolous and festive in style and revolves around figures from high society during moments of entertainment in public.

This scene with a distinctly Parisian atmosphere (recreated in the artist's imagination) takes place on a rainy evening outside a theatre with an imposing facade. At the doors, the guests gather for a masked ball. The ladies draw their cloaks around them to keep the rain off their striking costumes and take shelter under the umbrellas of their male companions, with the intention of going inside quickly, where the lighting is almost blinding for the occasion.

Here, as in most scenes like this that take place at night, the subject served as a fine excuse for the painter to show his skill in depicting bathing buildings with artificial light and reflections from wet sidewalks, as opposed to the dark, bleak night.

In addition, Lucas Villaamil demonstrated his mastery when it came to moving crowds (a real specialty where this artist is concerned). The figures were formed with extremely quick, deft strokes that sketchily defined their outlines, increasing the sense of haste and excitement as they rushed to shelter from the rain (with the result that the splendor of their costumes could barely be captured).

Eugenio Lucas Vill