*** Welcome to piglix ***

Bal des Quat'z'Arts


Bal des Quat'z'Arts ("Four Arts Ball") was a Parisian annual ball, the first held in 1892 and the last in 1966. The event was organised by Henri Guillaume, Professor of Architecture at the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts for students of architecture, painting, sculpture and engraving.

The bohemians of Montmartre who modeled their pranks in the form of carnival were instrumental in initiating the Bal des Quat'z'Arts. It was one of the two controversial carnivals of the 1880s and 1890s, the other being the annual masked ball, held in the spring. The carnival was an annual event with different themes. It was held particularly for the students of the four branches of architecture, painting, sculpture, and engraving of the École des Beaux-Arts. It was considered a "riotous Saturnalia". The girls accompanying the students for the carnival painted their bodies and wore costumes over them which would eventually come off at the wild revelry. The first ball was held in 1892 in Montmartre. It was modest when compared with later ones, but it was considered a success, though it was immediately put into the hands of organizers.

The second event was a costume ball held 9 February 1893 at the Moulin Rouge; along with merriment and drinking. Nude models walked about as living paintings and a nude woman was noted to be standing on a table at midnight. A lawsuit arose thereafter.Sarah Brown (née Marie or Marie-Florentine Roger or Royer) who posed as an atelier model was arrested and fined for nudity after the Bal des Quat'z'Arts carnival in 1893. This led to student rioting in the Latin Quarter. Later, when her whereabouts could not ascertained, it was conjectured that she had committed suicide.

Starting in 1900, the theme became singular – ancient – drawing on Greece and Homer. The theme was documented in invitations, programs and posters.

Months were spent in the creation of floats and in the costuming of students and models. The favorite wit of the different ateliers was given the task of painting the banner of the atelier, which was carried at the head of the several corteges. Special instructions were issued to the different ateliers while preparations were in progress, such as this one from the ball of 1899:


...
Wikipedia

...