A watercolour and ink work by Gustave Verbeek, depicting a dance at a military ball. The scene is set indoors, with a woman dancing with a soldier, surrounded by four other soldiers.

This watercolour and ink work by Gustave Verbeek depicts a dance at what is likely a military ball. The scene is set indoors, with a woman in a light-coloured blouse and dark green skirt dancing with a soldier in a blue and red uniform. Four other soldiers stand around the dancing couple, their expressions difficult to read. The artist's style is characterised by loose brushwork and a muted palette, creating a somewhat dreamlike atmosphere. The composition is simple, with the figures arranged in a shallow space. The background is indistinct, suggesting a curtain or wall. Verbeek's signature is visible in the lower right corner of the image. Gustave Verbeek was a Dutch-American cartoonist, illustrator, and painter. He is best known for his comic strips, which were characterised by their surreal and often nonsensical humour. He also worked as an illustrator for magazines and books, and he produced a number of paintings and watercolours. His work is held in the collections of the Library of Congress and Syracuse University.