Young Girl In A Tutu At The Entrance Of A Ball, Large 19th Century Watercolor

Young dancer in a tutu whose bust and head are partially covered with a red stole. She is standing in front of the entrance to a Parisian ball where we see that the entrance fee was 1 franc. The young girl seems surprised, as if caught in the act, with a wild and frightened expression.
Magnificent and large watercolor on paper (frame 100x82 cm) signed lower left F. Briès and which illustrates the story of these little opera rats who made up the attractive prizes in the raffles. As the Opera balls became dull and uncrowded, a certain Mira had the idea of ​​organizing lotteries in which cashmere, bracelets and also young dancers were the most coveted prizes...
In Paris, balls were places of entertainment and pleasure, of fashion and gallantry but also of prostitution and the exploitation of women.
Frame 100x82 cm