Gemaskerd bal 1712 - 1751

Jean Charles Flipart created this print, Gemaskerd bal, using etching in the early 18th century. The masked ball was a popular form of entertainment during this period, and this image offers a fascinating glimpse into the social customs and cultural values of the time. Prints such as this one provide an intimate look into the lives of the European elite. Its composition, with figures arranged around a central female figure, speaks to the importance of social gatherings in Venetian society. The masks themselves allowed for a loosening of social strictures, creating an environment where courtship and perhaps even clandestine affairs could flourish. The presence of chaperones suggests that despite the masked revelry, social conventions still held sway. To fully understand this image, scholars consult period sources such as etiquette manuals, fashion plates, and literature. These illuminate the social rituals and unspoken rules that governed interactions. By placing art within its social and institutional context, we reveal its subtle commentaries on the norms and expectations of its time.