A Conference of Lawyers

Art Historical Context

Gabriel de Saint-Aubin’s *A Conference of Lawyers* (1776) is a witty etching from the second state of two, capturing the bustling intellectual world of 18th-century Paris. This intimate print, measuring just under 7 by 5 inches, exemplifies Saint-Aubin’s mastery of the etching technique, where acid bites into a metal plate to create fine, expressive lines. As a prolific French artist and engraver active during the Rococo era’s twilight, Saint-Aubin often infused his works with satire, blending detailed observation with playful commentary on contemporary society. The scene depicts a group of men—likely lawyers—gathered in an interior filled with books, symbolizing legal erudition and debate. The inclusion of female nudes in the composition adds a layer of humor, perhaps poking fun at the distractions or vanities amid serious discourse. Produced on the eve of the French Revolution, it reflects the era’s growing scrutiny of institutions like the law, rendered in Saint-Aubin’s characteristic loose, sketch-like style that evokes spontaneity and charm. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Drawings and Prints department, this purchase from the Derald H. and Janet Ruttenberg Gift (1985) highlights the enduring appeal of Saint-Aubin’s prints as social snapshots. Visitors will appreciate how this small gem distills the quirks of Enlightenment-era life into a visually delightful critique.

About the Artist

Gabriel de Saint-Aubin · 1724–1780

Gabriel de Saint-Aubin (1724–1780) was one of the most vivid and irrepressible graphic artists of eighteenth-century France, a tireless draughtsman whose sketchbooks and prints constitute an extraordinary visual chronicle of Parisian life during the Ancien Régime. Born into a family with strong connections to the decorative arts — his father was an embroiderer to the king — Saint-Aubin received fo...