Les Invisibles (The Invisible Ones) 1810

"Les Invisibles" (The Invisible Ones) is a satirical hand-colored etching by William Brocas, created in 1810, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The print humorously depicts a group of fashionable individuals, all wearing large, elaborate hats and bonnets that obscure their faces. This visual gag satirizes the outlandish fashions of the time, particularly the trend of oversized headwear which became popular during the Regency Era. The work is a commentary on the superficiality and absurdity of high society, and the tendency of individuals to prioritize appearance over substance.