The Coquettish Widow 1724

"The Coquettish Widow" is an etching by Bernard Lepicié, created in 1724. The print depicts a widow, dressed in mourning attire, looking at her reflection in a mirror. On the table in front of her are various items, including a perfume bottle, a jewelry box, and a watch, hinting at the woman's contemplation of her future prospects. This artwork, currently held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, provides a glimpse into the fashionable world of 18th-century France and the role of women in society. Lepicié's masterful etching captures the subtle nuances of the widow's expression, suggesting both sadness and a hint of hopeful anticipation.