Compared with Le théâtre de la nature, Variations amoureuses (Amorous Variations) is more colourful and the humour more earthy – if that is possible. If it were not for the authoritative assumption that this ‘Santippa’ (and the lithographs in this portfolio are clearly signed) is the same as the artist of Le théâtre it could be argued that we are seeing two different hands at work, but given that both exhibit clear imagination and skill we will give it the benefit of the doubt and attribute both portfolios to Gaston Hoffmann.

No place or date of publication are given within the portfolio.

You will see that we have identified only eight of the eighteen plates of Variations amoureuses, so would be very grateful if anyone has a complete set of images.