La belle du Matin en Caracot et Jupe á la Suzanne c. 1785

This hand-colored etching, "La belle du Matin en Caracot et Jupe á la Suzanne," or "The Beauty of the Morning in Caracot and Suzanne Skirt", offers us a glimpse into the performative aspects of 18th-century French aristocratic identity. Though the artist remains anonymous, the print vividly depicts a woman of leisure, strolling in the Palais Royal. Consider the deliberate construction of her image. The extravagant hat, the fashionable "caraco" jacket, and the "Suzanne" skirt are not merely garments; they are signifiers of status, taste, and participation in a culture of display. Her playful gesture of offering a sugared almond to a passerby hints at the flirtatious social interactions and courtship rituals of the time. It’s difficult not to consider how the artwork shapes and reflects societal issues, while also referencing the emotional and personal dimensions of the piece. This image invites us to reflect on the ways in which clothing and gesture were—and continue to be—used to convey identity, desire, and social power.