Two Engravings Le Bon Genre 1801

Two engravings from the Le Bon Genre 1801 series Le Bon Genre is a collection of around a hundred engravings from the early 19th century illustrating and gently mocking the mores of the time. Under the direction of La Mésangère, also owner of the Journal des Dames and Fashions, the engravings of Le Bon Genre capture the fashions and customs of the time through a series of publications from 1801 to 1822. n°7 preparations for the Ball In a society masked ball, we no longer see Harlequins, neither Columbines nor Pierrots. The fashionable costumes are those of Switzerland and our ancient province of Normandy; but, with their thick fabric skirt and their peasant bonnet, the ladies take great care to wear a diamond cross or some other jewel that distinguishes them. n°8 meeting at the Ball What do these masks say to each other when they approach each other? I know you, you don't know me. I know you, that is to say, I have a host of ways to embarrass you, to play with you, to amuse myself at your expense. You don't know me, that is to say, you cannot take your revenge, you cannot take advantage of my faults, my weaknesses; I'm going to flirt with you.