Potier et Brunet, Dans le duo des Anglaises pour Rire, from "Théâtre des Variétés"

Art Historical Context

This hand-colored etching by Gautier captures the lively world of Parisian theater in January 1815. It portrays actors Potier and Brunet performing the comic duo “Les Anglaises pour Rire” at the Théâtre des Variétés, a popular venue known for its lighthearted vaudeville and satire. The print belongs to a series documenting stage performances, preserving the gestures, costumes, and expressions that delighted audiences during the early years of the Bourbon Restoration. Created through etching—a technique valued for its crisp lines and reproducibility—the image was then delicately hand-colored to highlight the actors’ exaggerated fashions. Such prints served as both souvenirs and social commentary, poking gentle fun at English visitors and contemporary dress while making theater culture accessible beyond the stage. Today it offers a vivid glimpse into the humor and visual flair of post-Napoleonic Paris.