Charles Germain de Saint-Aubin
1756
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Théâtre Français (French Theater) is a 1756 ink by Charles Germain de Saint-Aubin, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This image shows two giant butterflies perched on a small stage. One butterfly holds a tiny violin, and the other plays it while a tiny figure stands between them. Above the stage is a fancy curtain with swirls and leaves, and below it reads "Théâtre Français." The whole scene looks like a tiny, ornate theater framed by more decorative scrollwork and flowers. The butterflies are dressed like performers, adding a playful twist to the scene. The word "Théâtre Français" suggests this might be a whimsical take on a real theater. Next, look up etching to see how artists like Saint-Aubin created detailed prints like this one.
Charles Germain de Saint-Aubin (1748–1760) was an artist.
See the richer artist page
