3-028-749 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

"What Can It Be?" by Madame Thuillier, 1870. Engraving of a painting. 'The lady of the house was out at night to a masquerade, or to some assignation for which she took the precaution of wearing a domino, and, returning home late, she has carelessly thrown down domino, and gloves, and fan on the table of an ante-room. There is a wineglass, too, on the table, from which jaded and worn, she may have sought to relieve her exhaustion! Early in the morning, before these things are removed or madame is likely to appear, a little paysanne, ragged, unkempt, and barefooted, has brought fresh-gathered strawberries to the house...Admitted to the room and left to herself for a few moments, she places her scales and fruit on the floor, and, with the curiosity of her sex, her eyes are fixed in perplexity on the domino. "What can it be?" What purpose can it serve? What can be seen through those gaping eye-holes? Who could wish to wear a mask so hideous? It is something quite out of the sphere of her experience; and it will be no loss if she never again makes acquaintance with it. The picture, which is very well painted, by a lady whose name - Madame de Thuiller - is new to us, is in the exhibition of pictures...at the French Gallery, Pall-mall'. From "Illustrated London News", 1870.