The Great Russian Ball at the Academy of Music, November 5, 1863

One of the greatest spectacles of the 1863 New York social season was the Russian Ball held in honor of the officers of the Russian fleet. So detailed were the newspaper reports (which included descriptions of the dresses, the decorations, the full menu, and the amounts of food and drink consumed) that it is possible that Homer based his drawing on written accounts. Nevertheless, this engraving conveys the excitement and dizzying effects of the evening for the thousands who participated in the glittering event.