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Author: Jean de La Fontaine (French, 1621–1695)
Illustrated by: Romeyn de Hooghe (Dutch, 1645–1708)
Publisher: Henry Desbordes (Dutch (?), 17th century)
Illustrated by: Romeyn de Hooghe (Dutch, 1645–1708)
Publisher: Henry Desbordes (Dutch (?), 17th century)
1685
Place of Publication: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Medium/Technique
Illustrated book with etched frontispiece and 58 etchings
Dimensions
Overall: 16.5 x 11 x 3.5 cm (6 1/2 x 4 5/16 x 1 3/8 in.)
Credit Line
William A. Sargent Collection—Bequest of William A. Sargent
Accession Number37.1623
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope, Prints and Drawings
ClassificationsIllustrated books
Amsterdam: Henry Desbordes, 1685
Catalogue Raisonné
Brunet III, 758-59; Hollstein, Dutch and Flemish, IX, nos. 591-648; Landwehr, de Hooghe Book Illustrator, 62 (first issue)
Description(Amsterdam: Henry Desbordes, 1685) Octavo; (two vols. bound together) 239 leaves; modern black-stamped brown calf, gilt-stamped red label.
Etched frontispiece and illustrations of La Fontaine's fables. First illustrated edition, first issue of these influential fables, reprinted often and illustrated by many subsequent artists. The MFA owns two copies of the second issue (37.1762, 40.590), which has different settings of the type and less strong impressions of the plates.
Etched frontispiece and illustrations of La Fontaine's fables. First illustrated edition, first issue of these influential fables, reprinted often and illustrated by many subsequent artists. The MFA owns two copies of the second issue (37.1762, 40.590), which has different settings of the type and less strong impressions of the plates.
ProvenanceT. Blyth (inscriptions on preliminary leaf); acquired in 1913 by William A. Sargent, Boston (1858-1936), by whom bequeathed to MFA, November 17, 1937.