De acteur Alcide Tousez als kleermaker c. 1840

Alexandre Lacauchie’s pencil and charcoal drawing presents us with a study of Alcide Tousez, the actor, in the guise of a tailor. The somber palette, dominated by shades of gray, focuses our attention on the figure's pose and the textures of his clothing, with delicate variations achieved through subtle gradations of tone. Consider the interplay of visibility and concealment. The apron, which drapes Tousez’s body, is visually deceptive, obscuring his gender. The artist has rendered his subject's figure in great detail. By drawing attention to the textures and patterns of the costume, Lacauchie invites a semiotic interpretation of clothing as a signifier of identity. In its emphasis on detail and realism, the drawing invites us to look beyond the surface to see the social codes at play, ultimately prompting us to consider how identity is constructed.