Au Moins Soyez Discret (At Least Be Discreet)

Art Historical Context

**Au Moins Soyez Dis (At Least Be Diset)**, an etching and engraving by French artist Augustin de Saint-Aubin from 1789, captures the witty spirit of late 18th-century Paris. Created in the second state of five common practice in printmaking to refine details and correct imperfections—this work exemplifies the Saint-Aubin family's renowned output of satirical and genre scenes. Measuring a generous sheet size of over 21 by 15 inches, it was designed for display and dissemination, reflecting the era's booming market for affordable prints that poked fun at social norms. Dated to the pivotal year of the French Revolution, the title's playful plea for discretion hints at a lighthearted commentary on romance, propriety, or feminine intrigue, as suggested by its "Women" tag. Saint-Aubin's precise etching and engraving techniques—combining freehand bitten lines with incised details—produce rich tonal contrasts and intricate textures, hallmarks of Rococo-influenced printmaking transitioning toward neoclassicism. These methods allowed for mass production, making elite satire accessible to a broader public. Housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, thanks to the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund of 1935, this piece invites visitors to ponder the tensions between public decorum and private mischief on the eve of revolutionary upheaval. A charming window into prerevolutionary French society! (198 words)

About the Artist

Augustin de Saint-Aubin · 1736–1807

Comment on works: Illustrator; Engraver