Country Ballet (Ballet Champêtre), from Essai de Papilloneries Humaines par Saint Aubin 1751 - 1765

Charles Germain de Saint-Aubin created "Country Ballet" with etching in the 18th century. The monochrome print invites us into a whimsical scene. The eye is drawn to the butterfly-winged figures, which are elegantly framed by elaborate, decorative elements. The composition is structured around these figures; their poses suggest movement and lightness, reminiscent of dancers on a stage. Saint-Aubin uses the semiotic language of classical ballet, contrasting it with the fantastical element of insect wings. The elaborate frame further emphasizes the artificiality and theatricality of the scene, a hallmark of Rococo art. The print challenges fixed categories by blending human and insect forms. It engages with a new way of thinking about representation. Through the formal qualities of line and composition, Saint-Aubin creates not just an aesthetic experience, but also invites us to consider the shifting boundaries between nature and artifice. As we engage with it today, the work still yields new interpretations.