Jean-Baptiste Oudry - Les deux perroquets, Le Roy et son fils / Fables de La Fontaine
The two parrots, Le Roy and his son / Fables, La Fontaine, 18th century
Fable CC
Copper engraving by A. Radigues after a drawing by Jean-Baptiste Oudry.
This engraving appeared in the edition of La Fontaine's fables, published in four volumes by the publisher Desaint & Saillant, rue Saint Jean de Beauvais in Paris, 1755-1759.
Jean-Baptiste Oudry, born in Paris on March 17, 1686 and died in Beauvais on April 30, 1755, is a French painter and engraver. He is most famous for his paintings of hunting dogs, animal still lifes and exotic animals. The edition of La Fontaine's Fables from which the engraving is taken has 276 plates including a frontispiece based on the drawings of Jean-Baptiste Oudry. Made between 1729 and 1733, these drawings inspired by the Fables were intended by the painter for a series of tapestry cartoons. Acquired around twenty years later by Jean-Louis Regnard de Montenault, the latter decided to publish them with the support of the banker Darey. He tried to rally as many people as possible to his project, including the king, who granted a grant of eighty thousand pounds, a sum which allowed the publication of the fourth volume, thus putting an end to nine years of adventures. Unsuitable for engraving due to the technique used, these sketches were redrawn – without shading – in graphite by Charles-Nicolas Cochin (1715-1790) , then interpreted on copper by 42 engravers chosen by the protégé of Madame de Pompadour and who worked under his direction. The typographic part was entrusted to Jombert, and the 203 cul-de-lampe with floral or allegorical motifs were engraved on wood by Le Sueur and Papillon.
Good condition, slight foxing on the margins
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The two parrots, Le Roy and his son / Fables, La Fontaine, 18th century
Fable CC
Copper engraving by A. Radigues after a drawing by Jean-Baptiste Oudry.
This engraving appeared in the edition of La Fontaine's fables, published in four volumes by the publisher Desaint & Saillant, rue Saint Jean de Beauvais in Paris, 1755-1759.
Jean-Baptiste Oudry, born in Paris on March 17, 1686 and died in Beauvais on April 30, 1755, is a French painter and engraver. He is most famous for his paintings of hunting dogs, animal still lifes and exotic animals. The edition of La Fontaine's Fables from which the engraving is taken has 276 plates including a frontispiece based on the drawings of Jean-Baptiste Oudry. Made between 1729 and 1733, these drawings inspired by the Fables were intended by the painter for a series of tapestry cartoons. Acquired around twenty years later by Jean-Louis Regnard de Montenault, the latter decided to publish them with the support of the banker Darey. He tried to rally as many people as possible to his project, including the king, who granted a grant of eighty thousand pounds, a sum which allowed the publication of the fourth volume, thus putting an end to nine years of adventures. Unsuitable for engraving due to the technique used, these sketches were redrawn – without shading – in graphite by Charles-Nicolas Cochin (1715-1790) , then interpreted on copper by 42 engravers chosen by the protégé of Madame de Pompadour and who worked under his direction. The typographic part was entrusted to Jombert, and the 203 cul-de-lampe with floral or allegorical motifs were engraved on wood by Le Sueur and Papillon.
Good condition, slight foxing on the margins
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