Balzaal 1769 - 1805

Jan Evert Grave created this print called 'Balzaal', or 'Ballroom', in the Netherlands at the close of the 18th century. It depicts a fashionable social gathering, an image of the kind of leisure activity that defined the Dutch elite. The print offers a glimpse into the world of Dutch high society during a period of political and social change. The Dutch Republic was on the verge of collapse, and the old order was being challenged by new ideas of democracy and citizenship. One wonders, do these people know that the world is about to change for them? To really understand this print, we could delve into archival records, personal letters, and other primary sources to reconstruct the social and political context in which Grave was working. By examining the institutions of art in the Netherlands at this time, such as the art academies and the art market, we can understand the print as a historical document reflecting a specific moment in Dutch history.