Annual Caledonian Ball Ticket 19th century

This Annual Caledonian Ball Ticket was made by Asher Brown Durand using engraving, a process which involves meticulously incising an image onto a metal plate. Look closely and you can see how the crispness of the engraved lines lends the image its formality. It’s a world away from the free, gestural mark-making associated with drawing or painting. The design suggests a celebration of Scottish culture, with dancers and a bagpiper framed by classical columns, topped with thistles and ribbons. Engraving like this requires intense concentration, steady hands, and specialized tools. It's a laborious process demanding a high level of skill. In the 19th century, printed images like this became increasingly common, connecting the world of skilled artisanry to the rise of mass culture. The very existence of this object speaks to the growing popularity of social events, as well as the culture of commemorative ephemera. Ultimately, understanding the ticket requires us to appreciate not just the image it conveys, but also the social and technological context of its production.