Title page from Essay on Butterflies Masquerading as Humans (Essai de Papilloneries Humaines)
Charles Germain, Saint-Aubin’s eldest brother, achieved fame as embroidery designer to the king (his treatise on the subject is in a case nearby). His satiric wit, however, found an outlet in his playful etchings of butterfly protagonists poking fun at their human counterparts.
The title page of his second set combines his talent for ornament and humor. Butterflies and mice cavort around an obelisk while fireworks explode into fantastical floral forms.
The title page of his second set combines his talent for ornament and humor. Butterflies and mice cavort around an obelisk while fireworks explode into fantastical floral forms.
Artwork Details
- Title: Title page from Essay on Butterflies Masquerading as Humans (Essai de Papilloneries Humaines)
- Artist: Charles Germain de Saint-Aubin (French, Paris 1721–1786 Paris)
- Date: ca. 1756–60
- Medium: Etching; first state of two
- Dimensions: plate: 12 13/16 x 9 5/16 in. (32.5 x 23.7 cm)
sheet: 15 5/8 x 10 9/16 in. (39.7 x 26.8 cm) - Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund and Rogers Fund, 1982
- Object Number: 1982.1101.1
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
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Multiple artists/makers
n.d. [before 1770]
Multiple artists/makers
18th century
Charles Germain de Saint-Aubin
ca.1750–80
Multiple artists/makers
mid-18th century
Charles Germain de Saint-Aubin
ca. 1748
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