A refined eighteenth-century French engraving by Augustin de Saint-Aubin, depicting a woman in a gesture of silence, titled 'Au moins soyez discret'.

Augustin de Saint-Aubin, a prominent French draughtsman and engraver, produced this work during the height of the Rococo period. The print captures a woman in a moment of hushed intimacy, her finger pressed to her lips in a gesture of silence. The title, 'Au moins soyez discret' (At least be discreet), suggests a narrative of clandestine romance or social intrigue, themes frequently explored in eighteenth-century French graphic art.

The composition is contained within a refined oval frame, a common device in Saint-Aubin's work that directs the viewer's attention to the subject's expressive posture. The woman wears a ruffled cap and a loose, layered bodice, rendered with the precise line work characteristic of the period's engraving techniques. The background features subtle drapery and a small floral arrangement, providing a domestic setting that contrasts with the theatricality of the subject's pose. Below the main oval, a smaller, secondary medallion depicts a putto, adding a classical decorative element that balances the overall design.

Saint-Aubin was known for his ability to capture the textures of fabric and the nuances of human expression through the medium of copperplate engraving. His work often documented the social customs and fashions of the Parisian elite. This print demonstrates his technical control, particularly in the use of cross-hatching to create depth and shadow within the oval frame. The print serves as an example of the sophisticated graphic production that circulated among collectors in the late eighteenth century, reflecting the period's interest in wit, gallantry, and the private lives of the aristocracy.