Designs for Plates Taken from Oudry's Illustrations to La Fontaine's Fables

Art Historical Context

This etching, titled *Designs for Plates Taken Oudry's Illustrations to La Fontaine'sables*, captures the whimsical spirit of 18th-century French decorative arts. Created anonymously after 1755 by an artist inspired by Jean-Baptiste Oudry's illustrations, it adapts lively scenes of animals, birds, and—hallmarks of Jean de La Fontaine's moralistic fables—for practical use on dinner plates. Oudry, a master Rococo painter celebrated for his vibrant animal depictions, had earlier produced opulent tapestries and based on these 17th-century tales, making his designs highly influential. Etching, the chosen medium, excels in rendering intricate details with fine lines incised into a metal plate, then inked and printed. This technique allowed precise reproduction of Oudry's dynamic compositions, blending narrative charm with elegant functionality. Produced on a modest sheet (11 7/16 x 6 9/16 in.), it reflects the era's Rococo taste for playful, nature-inspired motifs in everyday objects. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, 1955), this print highlights how La Fontaine's timeless fables permeated French culture, evolving from literature to lavish home decor and bridging art with daily life.

About the Artist

Jean-Baptiste Oudry|Anonymous, 18th century · 1686–1755

Comment on works: Fish; Game; Dogs; Hunt scenes