Au Moins Soyez Discret (At Least Be Discreet) 1789

Augustin de Saint-Aubin created this print, "At Least Be Discreet," in France during the late 18th century. It depicts a woman in fashionable dress signaling for silence. In a society governed by strict social rules, prints like this offered commentary on the behavior of the upper classes. Here, the artist uses the visual codes of dress and gesture to suggest a clandestine encounter. The print hints at the moral ambiguities of aristocratic life at the time, capturing the tension between outward propriety and private indulgence. The inclusion of a Cupid figure at the bottom adds a layer of irony, alluding to the playful, yet potentially disruptive, nature of love and desire. Historical research, including studies of fashion, social etiquette, and the print market, helps us understand the nuances of this image. By examining such cultural and institutional contexts, we gain insight into the complex social dynamics of 18th-century France.