"L'imitation de l'antique", Thérèse-Eléonore Lingée after Dutailly

An originally somewhat humorous French engraving by Thérèse-Eléonore Lingée, based on an apparently now-lost painting by Dutailly (1795). This is a commentary on the neoclassical craze for all things Greek and Roman (including in women's clothing).

One of the women has laid aside her bonnet, gloves, and shawl, and the man his hat, while the other woman (who has taken off one of her gloves, which she is holding in her other hand) is trying to pose the couple in close imitation of the ancient statue on the tall pedestal at left.

The painting/engraving seems to be posing the question, since the Classical world was held up as a model, why not go all the way in your emulation? (Especially, of course, if you can use it as an occasion for flirting, and an excuse to get a kiss from a pretty girl.)

Note that the flesh-and-blood gentleman's feet are in the fourth position of dancing (quite unlike those of his marble counterpart).