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Wood engraving
Masquerade Ball at the Skating Rink, Montreal
Artist
Inconnu / Unknown
Publisher
Illustrated London News
SignatureNon signé / Unsigned
Date
1870/04/23
Medium / Technique
Ink on paper
Wood engraving
Wood engraving
Dimensions27.5 × 39.9 cm
Origin
England, Europe
Object NumberM993X.5.671
DivisionDocumentary Art
CollectionMcCord
NotesExhibition Costume Balls - Dressing Up History, 1870-1927
The illustrated press
The Canadian Illustrated News’ first illustration shows some of the more unusual characters at the carnival who were later downplayed or omitted in the composite photographs. They include a double bass or cello, a giant teacup, a rooster, and a giant head, as well as a blackface character. Such demeaning racialized portrayals were usually forbidden at balls and carnivals but were present in numbers when not strictly prohibited. The journal went on to print a second engraving, based on Notman’s composite. The Illustrated London News presented its own version, heavily based on Notman’s image but with a few differences. Can you identify them?
The illustrated press
The Canadian Illustrated News’ first illustration shows some of the more unusual characters at the carnival who were later downplayed or omitted in the composite photographs. They include a double bass or cello, a giant teacup, a rooster, and a giant head, as well as a blackface character. Such demeaning racialized portrayals were usually forbidden at balls and carnivals but were present in numbers when not strictly prohibited. The journal went on to print a second engraving, based on Notman’s composite. The Illustrated London News presented its own version, heavily based on Notman’s image but with a few differences. Can you identify them?
Status
On viewInformation about the objects in our collection is updated to reflect new research findings. If you have any information to share regarding this object, please email reference.mccord@mccord-stewart.ca.Information about rights and reproductions is available here.
Montreal Amateur Athletics Association Skating Rink, Montreal, QC, about 1910
Inconnu / Unknown
1905-1914
MP-0000.887.10
Indoor skating rink, Shawinigan Falls, QC, about 1910
Inconnu / Unknown
1905-1914
MP-0000.1179.3
Skating rink, L'Annonciation, QC, about 1910
Inconnu / Unknown
About 1910
MP-0000.979.6
Skating carnival, Victoria Skating Rink, Montreal, Quebec, 1870
James George Parks
1870
M13092
This project is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Azrieli Foundation and Canadian Heritage.