The Toff with a Bouquet c. 1876

This etching, "The Toff with a Bouquet," by Jean-Louis Forain, captures a satirical glimpse of Parisian society in the late 19th century. The artwork depicts a man in a top hat holding a bouquet of flowers, a symbol of romantic gesture, yet his stiff posture and aloof expression suggest a lack of genuine sentiment. Forain was known for his sharp social commentary, and this etching exemplifies his ability to expose the absurdity of upper-class manners and the superficiality of social interactions.