Title page from Essai de Papilloneries Humaines par Saint Aubin 1751 - 1765

Charles Germain de Saint-Aubin created this title page, "Essai de Papilloneries Humaines," using etching, around the late 18th century. During this time, Parisian society was known for its elaborate fashion and social gatherings. Saint-Aubin, as the King’s designer, was deeply embedded within the cultural milieu of the French court. This work, whose title translates to "Essay on Human Butterflies," critiques the frivolity of aristocratic life by portraying members of the court as butterflies flitting from one amusement to another, indifferent to the looming social and political unrest. The butterfly, often a symbol of transformation, here embodies a superficial engagement with the world, highlighting the aristocracy's detachment from the lives of ordinary people. The intricate details of the etching invite us to reflect on how those in positions of power are remembered, and the ways in which they engage, or fail to engage, with the pressing social issues of their time.