Bal des Quat'z'Arts 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 first ball was held in 1892 in Montmartre. It was modest when compared with later ones, and 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.
History
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 during the wild revelry. Sarah Brown, 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 be determined, 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. The 1913 theme was “The Barbarians”, 1914 was Homer’s Greece, 1920 was “Ancient Egypt”, 1921 was “Carthage”, and 1927 was “The Khmers”. Badges made of tinplate or bronze were made to identify the members of the committee responsible for organising the ball.
Preparations
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:
Description
The four different ateliers each created various floats and corteges. Prizes were given for the most successful interpretations. A jury composed of painters and sculptors reviewed the costumes as each person entered the ball. If someone did not achieve the appropriate artistic standard, they were turned away. Tickets were not transferable. It was difficult for someone who was not an enrolled student in one of the four ateliers to enter the ball. The ball featured a procession of moving tableaux. When dawn approached the students formed a huge circle to watch the dancing that began in the morning hours. When the dance ended, there would be a shout, "Long live the Quat'z' Arts!" The ball closed at about seven in the morning. It was followed by a procession through the Latin Quarter, finally reaching the Louvre where a general romp would occur. The march would resume over the Pont du Carrousel, until the Théâtre de l'Odéon was reached, where the attendees would disband.
Modern revival
In 2012 the Bal des Quat'z'Arts was revived on the initiative of Nicolas Bourriaud when director of the École des Beaux-Arts.
