Why, is it you? . . . Oh, it's you! . . . Stop! What are you doing? c. 18th century

Editor: This is a print by Philippe Trière. It doesn’t have a date, but it's called "Why, is it you? . . . Oh, it's you! . . . Stop! What are you doing?" The scene feels…intimate and charged, a little theatrical. How do we understand its original audience? Curator: It’s fascinating to consider how such a piece functioned within its social context. The print reproduces an illicit encounter, reflecting the era's fascination with libertine culture. How might the consumption of these images have shaped societal attitudes towards love, marriage, and class? Editor: So, was it a form of social commentary or pure titillation? Curator: Perhaps both! The print engages with anxieties about social mobility and morality, offering a glimpse into private moments while simultaneously reinforcing certain social hierarchies. What do you make of the woman’s expression? Editor: It’s hard to tell…surprised? Maybe even a little amused? Thanks, that gives me a lot to think about. Curator: Indeed! It's in these subtle visual cues that we find the complexities of its cultural moment.