Symbolic Cage 1760

"Symbolic Cage" is an etching by the French artist Etienne Fessard, dating to 1760. The artwork depicts a scene of three figures, including a young girl holding a birdcage, likely symbolic of the constraints of societal expectations placed on women during the 18th century. The print showcases Fessard's talent for capturing nuanced emotions and detailed settings within the Rococo style. "Symbolic Cage" is currently part of the The Art Institute of Chicago's collection, offering a glimpse into the social commentary of the era.