A fashionable lady seen from behind; and A fashionable lady holding a fan

These drawings are probably studies for Gallerie des modes et costumes française, (Paris, Eshauts and Rapilly, 1778-1787), a collection of 445 plates of French fashion, considered the first publication of its kind. Watteau de Lille made 118 drawings for this publication between 1784-87, which were engraved by six artists. Only about thirty of these drawings have reappeared since the 18th Century. For a full discussion of Watteau's drawings for this series, see G. Maes, Les Watteau de Lille, Paris, 1998, pp. 412-413.