Triste et abattu les seductions des nymphes le tentent en vain

The work belongs to a series of eight satirical caricatures that lampoon the ballet *Flore et Zéphire*, a popular production choreographed by Charles‑Louis Didelot. By depicting the nymphs’ unsuccessful attempts to console a dejected figure, the print mocks the ballet’s romantic themes.

Executed as a hand‑coloured copper engraving, the print combines line work typical of early nineteenth‑century printmaking with applied watercolor washes. The style reflects the Romantic era’s interest in theatrical subjects and the exaggerated gestures common to caricature.

The original drawing was created by writer William Makepeace Thackeray, who published the series under the pseudonym “Théophile Wagstaff” to conceal his authorship. The engraving was produced by Edward Morton and distributed in London, later entering the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

During the 1830s, ballet enjoyed widespread popularity in England, and *Flore et Zéphire* was a cultural touchstone. Satirical prints such as this one offered contemporary commentary, using humor to critique the excesses of Romantic stage productions.