Situated at the intersection of social history, fashion history, and new scientific technologies, this catalog explores the fantasy figures of Jean Honoré Fragonard (1732–1806). Rapidly executed and brightly colored, these paintings of lavishly costumed individuals are among his most mysterious: produced for unknown reasons, perhaps representing real individuals, perhaps not.

The recent emergence of a drawing covered with 18 thumbnail-sized sketches and apparently annotated in the artist's own hand has upended several long-held assumptions about this series—not only populating his professional networks with hitherto unknown clients and models, but also extending as far as the National Gallery of Art's own Young Girl Reading.

Carefully presenting and examining new findings, this catalog takes an important step toward a more complete understanding of the series as a whole.