Les Invisibles 1810

James Gillray's "Les Invisibles," is a print, capturing a peculiar trend in late 18th-century society: the desire for anonymity. Here, figures parade with faces obscured by clothing or accessories, a visual symbol of detachment. This motif of concealment harkens back to ancient rituals, where masks transformed identities. Yet, in Gillray’s satire, it evolves. Faces covered by ridiculous costumes or fans suggest the individual's choice to be hidden, an intentional withdrawal from social visibility. Think back to the veiled figures in classical dramas or religious processions – these figures use veils as markers of reverence. In contrast, Gillray presents veiling as fashion, a marker of elitist social behavior. It's as if the collective desire to both be seen and unseen has morphed into a psychological dance, where identity becomes a commodity, obscured or revealed at will.