The Duel (Le Duel), from Essai de Papilloneries Humaines par Saint Aubin

Charles Germain de Saint-Aubin

ca. 1756–60 · Etching; first state of two · Drawings and Prints

This print is from a whimsical series that depicts butterflies participating in a variety of human activities. The use of butterflies, papillon in French, may have been inspired by the verb papillonner, which had been invented earlier in the century to describe actions that are spontaneous and lighthearted. In The Duel, two butterflies with noble bearing engage in a fencing match as their seconds look on from hanging ladders.

Artist

Charles Germain de Saint-Aubin

Date

ca. 1756–60

Medium

Etching; first state of two

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund and Rogers Fund, 1982