Six Caprices à l’Eau-Forte (original French title)

Seven etchings on laid paper, housed inside a greenish-gray portfolio.
Complete set of 6 etchings, with an additional impression of the title image, also printed on the front cover of the portfolio.
Reference: not in BN-IFF, which mentions 6 other sets.
Edition unknown, but complete sets are definitely scarce today.
Published by L. Joly, Paris.
Plates: circa 6 ½ x 5 inches.
Size indicated below is of the portfolio.

All etchings in very fine condition; two with slight evenly toned, unobtrusive.  Some paper loss in the cover’s edges.  The cover archivally consolidated with Japan paper.  Overall a lovely set.

Erotica such as this one were in vogue throughout Europe at the time.  Apoux specialized in them.  This set is charming, the female nudes not overly sexualized.  The women, each suggestively accompanied by a black cat, always chastely cover their pubis, and only one shows her backside.  In each composition the remarques make whimsical comments on the main theme.