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Contes de La Fontaine

Illustrated by: Jean-Honoré Fragonard (French, 1732–1806)
Etched by: Adolphe T. J. Martial Potémont (French, 1828–1883)
Author: Jean de La Fontaine (French, 1621–1695)
Publisher: Jules Lemonnyer (French, active late 19th century)
1883
Place of Publication: Paris, France

Medium/Technique Illustrated book with numerous etchings
Dimensions Overall (each vol.): 33 x 26.5 x 5.9 cm (13 x 10 7/16 x 2 5/16 in.)
Credit Line William A. Sargent Collection—Bequest of William A. Sargent
Accession Number37.2134
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsIllustrated books
Paris: J. Lemonnyer, 1883

Catalogue Raisonné Beraldi (Potémont) 29
Description(Paris: J. Lemonnyer, 1883) Large quarto, two vols.; (v. 1) [2 ff.] lxix pp. [2 ff.] 288 pp., plus plates; (v. 2) [3 ff.] 418 pp. [1 f.], plus pls.; contemporary gilt-stamped inlaid yellow morocco (J. Bretault).

Literary illustrations; portraits.

A facsimile reprint of the 1795 Didot edition of La Fontaine's Contes, with illustrations after Fragonard, et al. (MFA copy: 37.2134). There is also a new preface by Anatole de Montaiglon. This edition contains photomechanical facsimiles of the original illustrations, plus new etched versions by Potémont [Martial] of the same scenes. In addition, this edition contains etchings by Potémont of the drawings by Fragonard intended for the Didot edition, but never engraved.

MFA also owns another reprint edition, published the same year by Rouquette (37.2102a-b).
ProvenanceGustave Bord (bookplate); acquired in 1905 in Paris by William A. Sargent, Boston (1858-1936), by whom bequeathed to MFA, November 17, 1937.