Papillonneries humains, Illustration from the Magasin Pittoresque 1836

"Papillonneries Humains," an illustration from the *Magasin Pittoresque* by Augustin de Saint-Aubin, depicts two figures, one male and one female, transformed into butterfly-like creatures, standing under a trellis of elaborate, intertwined foliage. The figures are positioned on a stage, with a spider web above them, suggestive of the fragile nature of their transformation. Saint-Aubin's intricate details, including the intricate design of the wings and the delicate floral patterns, emphasize the artistic and intellectual curiosity of the *Rococo* period. This whimsical illustration, dated 1836, exemplifies the artistic exploration of transformation and the interplay of nature and the human imagination.