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

The Great Russian Ball at the Academy of Music, November 5, 1863, is a detailed wood engraving created by the American 19th Century artist, Winslow Homer. Executed during the height of the Civil War, this print documents a significant social and political event: the gala celebrating the arrival of the Russian imperial fleet in New York Harbor. Seen by many in the North as a critical gesture of diplomatic support for the Union, the ball was an extravagant affair held at the celebrated Academy of Music.

Homer, who frequently worked as a journalistic illustrator capturing events for major publications of the era, skillfully rendered the immense scale and atmosphere of the gathering. The piece showcases a dense, lively interior, focusing on the main floor and balconies packed with attendees. The wood engraving medium allowed Homer to create sharp contrasts between the individual figures and the grand architectural setting. The central focus is the massive Russian coat of arms displayed prominently above the stage, underscoring the event's diplomatic purpose.

As an artist working within the American milieu of the 1860s, Homer utilized accessible media like these prints to document both the harsh realities of wartime and the concurrent, often extravagant, social life of the Northern states. This historical illustration exemplifies the visual culture of the 1851 to 1875 period. Classified as a print, the work resides in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, offering scholars and the public crucial insight into the societal customs and political displays of the era. Due to its age and original publication, this important historical American document is generally available for reference within the public domain.