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

This intricate etching, created by French artist Charles Germain de Saint-Aubin between 1751 and 1765, serves as the title page for his work "Essai de Papilloneries Humaines." The design features a central column, adorned with the title, encircled by fantastical flora, butterflies, and even a figure in a hat. This detailed composition, with its delicate lines and whimsical subject matter, is characteristic of Saint-Aubin's Rococo style, popular in 18th-century France. The piece is currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.