Copy of Deux Femmes de Profil (Two Women in Profile), from "Les Caprices" 1620 - 1700

This print, "Copy of Deux Femmes de Profil" from "Les Caprices," presents us with a striking contrast between two women. The iconography of the figures is deeply embedded in social symbolism. One woman, modestly dressed with a walking stick, perhaps signifies age or poverty. The other, adorned with an elaborate hat, suggests wealth and status. Consider how the walking stick held by the woman on the left echoes the scepter, a symbol of power seen in countless royal portraits through the ages. Yet, here, it is transformed—a mundane tool rather than a symbol of authority. This juxtaposition reminds us of the cyclical nature of symbols, how they reappear across time, altered but never entirely divorced from their original meanings. The contrast between the two figures may evoke a psychological tension, stirring collective memories of social hierarchies and personal aspirations, engaging us on a subconscious level. These visual contrasts provoke an emotional response, drawing viewers into a deeper contemplation of social roles. The motifs we see here are not static; they are living entities, evolving and adapting through the currents of history.