Masked Ball in Venice 1878

Editor: This is Eugène Lami's "Masked Ball in Venice." It's a bustling scene, so detailed! What stands out to you? Curator: I’m drawn to the depictions of labor. Look closely at the gondoliers; their work is essential to this elaborate social ritual. How does Lami present their role in enabling this display of wealth and leisure? Editor: I see them now, almost like stagehands. Do you think Lami is commenting on class divisions? Curator: Precisely! The artwork highlights the contrast between the masked revelers and those who facilitate their enjoyment. Notice, too, how the gondolas themselves--their construction and the materials used--speak to different levels of luxury. What does that tell us about Venetian society at the time? Editor: That's a good point, thank you! It's interesting to think about how art both reflects and shapes social structures.