Title Page, from Figures de modes

Title Page, from Figures de modes is an elegant etching created by Jean Antoine Watteau French, 1684-1721, likely dating from the significant transitional period of 1705 to 1715. This sophisticated print is executed as an etching in black ink upon ivory laid paper, a medium Watteau utilized to efficiently disseminate his figure studies and design concepts. As a print, the work demonstrates the artist's nuanced handling of line and tone, capturing the intricate details of dress and posture indicative of high society in France.

Originating during the final years of Louis XIV's reign and the emergence of the lighter Rococo style, this piece served as the frontispiece for a published collection. While Watteau is most celebrated for developing the fête galante genre in painting, this Title Page, from Figures de modes confirms his essential influence on the visual vocabulary of contemporary fashion and social aesthetics in early 18th-century France. The detail and technical clarity achieved through the etching process allowed these delicate compositions to be reproduced widely as prints, influencing designers and capturing the taste of the era.

The work’s significance extends beyond its functional role, offering insight into the collaborative nature of artistic production during this period. Watteau's mastery helped propel the acceptance of lighter, more intimate subject matter. Many such historic prints from this era are now widely accessible through public domain archives, aiding scholarly study. This important example of early 18th-century French printmaking is held within the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.