‘Devise’ in French means a strategy or currency, so 31 devises à l’usage des grands probably best translates as 31 Techniques for the Use of Grown-ups. Continuing the theme of his Chansons galantes of two years earlier, this collection of newly-composed ‘old French’ quatrains illustrates the many ways in which Collot imagines a young woman might accomplish sexual satisfaction. The drawings are classic Collot, combining artistry and wit in equal measure.
Here are the 31 captions:
1 L’affairée The busy one
2 La bien-faisante The generous one
3 La désolée The desperate one
4 La bien-conseillée The wise one
5 La badine The comedian
6 L’éventée Taking advantage
7 L’espiègle The mischievous one
8 La polissonne The rascal
9 La friande The delicate one
10 L’isolée The lonely one
11 La curieuse The curious one
12 L’avertie The suspicious one
13 La langoureuse The languid one
14 La voluptueuse The voluptuous one
15 La dévotte The devoted one
16 La charitable The charitable one
17 La frileuse The cautious one
18 La chasseuse The huntress
19 La liseuse The bookmark
20 La pèlerine The pilgrim
21 La bouquettière The flower-seller
22 La vielleuse The hurdy-gurdy player
23 La preneuse d’ois The birdcatcher
24 La jardinière The gardener
25 La pêcheuse The fisherwoman
26 La moissoneuse The reaper
27 La vendangeuse The farmworker
28 La bergère The shepherdess
29 Trayeuse de vaches The milkmaid
30 La crêmière The dairymaid
31 Petite marchande The stallholder
31 devises was published in Paris in a limited numbered edition of 200 copies.