Le Faucon, La Coupe Enchantee, from "Contes et nouvelles en vers par Jean de La Fontaine. A Paris, de l'imprimerie de P. Didot, l'an III de la République, 1795"

Art Historical Context

This enchanting print, titled *Le Faucon, La Enchantée*, comes from a luxurious 1795 edition of de La Fontaine's *es et nouvelles en vers printed in Paris by Pierre Didot'aîné during the French Republic's Year III. La Fontaine's witty, often risqué tales drew from classical fables, and this volume—produced amid the revolutionary fervor—revived 17th-century literary elegance with neoclassical flair. The illustration captures vignettes from "The Falcon" and "The Enchanted Cup," evoking playful allegory through scenes of men and women in opulent dining rooms, accompanied by dogs, stairs, firearms, bowls, and dishes. Designed by Rococo master Jean Honoré Fragonard, known for his exuberant, sensual style, and engraved by Jean-Baptiste Tilliard, the work is an etching and engraving in its second state of three (per Cohen-de Ricci catalogue). This technique allowed for intricate details and tonal depth, showcasing Didot's renowned press, famed for fine typography and illustrations that bridged old regime luxury with revolutionary innovation. Measuring 14 1/16 × 10 1/8 inches, it's a testament to 18th-century printmaking artistry. Housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1933), this piece highlights how Fragonard's frolicsome designs immortalized La Fontaine's moral mischief, offering visitors a window into France's cultural resilience during turbulent times.

About the Artist

Jean de La Fontaine|Jean Honoré Fragonard|Jean-Baptiste Tilliard|Pierre Didot l'ainé (French|French|French) · 1621 |1750 | –1695 |1780 |

French, Château-Thierry 1621–1695 Paris|active ca. 1750 (?)–1780|Paris