Restaurant 

Here we have Hermine David’s etching “Restaurant” which offers us a glimpse into Parisian social life, likely in the 1920s or 30s. David was part of an artistic milieu that included figures like Marie Laurencin and Suzanne Valadon, all of whom were negotiating their roles as women in the art world. This bustling restaurant scene is more than just a snapshot of leisure; it reflects the changing dynamics of gender and class in interwar France. Notice the fashionable women, their presence suggests a newfound freedom and mobility. The setting itself, a public space, is a stage for social performance. The figures, rendered with a delicate touch, seem to embody the era's spirit of modernity and sophistication. But, there's also a sense of distance, as if David is observing rather than participating. Ultimately, “Restaurant” invites us to consider the complex interplay between private lives and public spaces, and how they shape our understanding of identity and belonging. It's a scene that resonates with questions about who gets to occupy these spaces and what stories they tell.