Equity
1905
In this witty 1905 illustration titled 'Equité' (Fairness), Fernand Louis Gottlob captures a humorous social encounter typical of the Belle Époque. A tall, stiff-looking gentleman with a prominent mustache and glasses politely doffs his hat, while the woman beside him—dressed in a frilly, theatrical outfit—laughs openly, seemingly amused by his formality. Gottlob was a master illustrator for the famous satirical magazine *L'Assiette au Beurre*, and this piece showcases his talent for mocking social pretensions through expressive, loose line work that hints at Art Nouveau influences.