La sentinelle en défaut 1787 - 1801

"La sentinelle en défaut" (The Sentry in Default) is a hand-colored etching by Louis d’Arcis (1787-1801) depicting a humorous scene. Three women are involved in a clandestine meeting; the woman in the center appears to be placing a hat on the head of another woman seated in a chair while the woman in the left background looks on. This is an example of a print from the 18th century that uses the medium of etching to create a satirical social commentary, perhaps alluding to the political events in France during the period. This print, part of the series “La Sentinelle,” is 431 mm tall and 322 mm wide.