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Lot Essay
Jean de La Fontaine (1621-1695) is the most famous French fables-writer and probably the most widely read French poet of the 17th Century. Among his sizeable oeuvre, the 'Fables' are without doubt his most celebrated work. La Fontaine had many predecessors in this genre and took inspiration from Aesop, Horace, and ancient Indian literature, such as the Panchatantra. The first collection of his 124 Fables Choisies appeared in 1668 and were dedicated to Louis, the Grand Dauphin, the six-year-old son of Louis XIV.
The present mirror illustrates Fable XVIII from the first volume, 'The Stork and the Fox'. La Fontaine tells the story of a stork which has been unable to enjoy a meal offered by a fox as it was served on a plate. In return, the stork invites the fox to have a meal served in a long-necked vase, which of course the fox cannot enjoy. Unkindness begets unkindness is here La Fontaine's message.
A very closely related mirror of smaller scale was sold Christie's, New York, 24-25 September 1997, lot 440. While the present lot illustrates the first part of the fable, the latter illustrates the second part.
The present mirror illustrates Fable XVIII from the first volume, 'The Stork and the Fox'. La Fontaine tells the story of a stork which has been unable to enjoy a meal offered by a fox as it was served on a plate. In return, the stork invites the fox to have a meal served in a long-necked vase, which of course the fox cannot enjoy. Unkindness begets unkindness is here La Fontaine's message.
A very closely related mirror of smaller scale was sold Christie's, New York, 24-25 September 1997, lot 440. While the present lot illustrates the first part of the fable, the latter illustrates the second part.