New photography by Shannon Ruff captured with a digital camera-2007.

Decoration of the Masked Ball Given by the King in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles on the Occasion of the Marriage of His Son, February 25 and 26, 1745

Artist Charles-Nicholas Cochin the Younger (French, 1715 - 1790)

Manufacturer Charles-Nicolas Cochin the Elder

CultureFrench

Dateca.1745

MediumEtching and engraving on laid paper

Dimensions18 x 29 1/4 in. (45.7 x 74.3 cm)
Overall, Frame: 30 3/4 × 46 3/4 in. (78.1 × 118.7 cm)

InscribedInscriptions identify Cochin the Younger as designer, Cochin the Elder as engraver and etcher.

Credit LineMuseum purchase

Object number93.16.3

Not on view

DescriptionThis is one of five 18th century French Festival Etchings; it is one of 3 prints (from a set of 4) commemorating the celebrations attending the first marriage of Louis, Dauphin of France, in 1745. This print is the 2nd state. This is an etching of a masked ball in honor of the marriage of Louis XV's son and Maria Teresa Rafaela of Spain. The scene takes place in Versailles's Hall of Mirrors, but the mirrors are behind the viewer. The barrel vaulted ceiling is adorned with elaborate moldings and paintings. The background has high arched windows, and candle chandeliers hang low from the high vaulted ceiling. The wedding party enters the crowded room from the right; following them are the king and seven companions, who came disguised as topiary yew trees clipped to resemble pillars topped with vases.

Label TextCharles-Nicolas Cochin the Younger French, 1715–1790 Decoration of the Masked Ball Given by the King in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles on the Occasion of the Marriage of His Son, February 25 and 26, 1745, ca. 1745 Etching and engraving (print) on laid paper The royal celebration culminated in a lavish masked ball held in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. In the center foreground, the Dauphin and his bride, dressed as a gardener and flower seller, lead a line of costumed courtiers into the hall. The woman standing before them in the front row at the edge of the circle—dressed as a shepherdess and viewed from behind—is sometimes identified as Madame de Pompadour, who probably met King Louis XV at this event and in time became his mistress. The king and seven companions came disguised as decorative evergreen trees clipped to resemble pillars topped with vases, as seen in the right foreground. Museum purchase 93.16.3 Exhibition History"France Delineated: French Works on Paper, 1650-1920," The Chrysler Museum, Norfolk, VA, July 13 - September 12, 1993. "Treasures for the Community: The Chrysler Collects, 1989-1996," October 25, 1996 - February 16, 1997 "Serial Thrillers: The Lure of Old Master Print Series," Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, VA, October 1, 2015 - January 10, 2016.