La cage symbolique (The Symbolic Cage)

Etienne Fessard after Charles Lepeintre

National Gallery of Art

The image shows three people; a woman seated on the right, a man and a young girl standing near her. The woman is seated on a cushioned chair, wearing a ruffled dress, an ornate hat with feathers, and holding an open book. The man is kneeling slightly towards the left, shown in profile, with short hair and wearing a tailored coat. The girl stands between them, holding a birdcage with a bird inside. She has her hair styled up and wears an elaborate dress. The setting is an opulent interior with draped curtains, wall paneling, and a decorative emblem. A side table holds vases and a candlestick, and a dog is seated on the floor to the right of the girl.