Bal de la Bastille

Louis Le Coeur and Jacques-François-Joseph Swebach-Desfontaines

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing of an outdoor dance or festival scene. The image depicts a lively gathering in an outdoor setting, illuminated by rows of hanging lanterns and ornate chandeliers. The scene unfolds under a darkened sky, set against a backdrop of lush trees. There are tents with stripes in the background. The foreground is crowded with figures engaged in dancing and merriment on a spacious dance area, while smaller details, such as a small dog, add warmth and a sense of communal gaiety.