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Illustrated by: Jean Duplessi-Bertaux (French, 1750–1818)
Illustrated by: Auguste Jean-Marie Guénepin (French, 1780–1842)
Engraved by: Jean Duplessi-Bertaux (French, 1750–1818)
Engraved by: Jean Baptiste Michel Dupréel (French, active 1787–1817)
Engraved by: Augustin-François Lemaitre (French, 1797–1870)
Portrait(s) designed by: Hyacinthe François Rigau y Ros, called Hyacinthe Rigaud (French, 1659–1743)
Author: Jean de La Fontaine (French, 1621–1695)
Publisher: Leclere fils (French, 19th century)
1861
Place of Publication: Paris, France

Medium/Technique Illustrated book with 72 etching and engravings
Dimensions Overall (each vol.): 19.7 x 12.6 x 2.1 cm (7 3/4 x 4 15/16 x 13/16 in.)
Credit Line William A. Sargent Collection—Bequest of William A. Sargent
Accession Number37.2618a-b
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsIllustrated books
Paris: Leclere fils, 1861

Catalogue Raisonné Vicaire IV, 917; II, 958
Description(Paris: Leclere fils, 1861) Duodecimo, two vols.; (v. 1) [2 ff.] iv, 260 pp., plus one plate; (v. 2) [2 ff.] v, 307 pp.; nineteenth-century gilt-stamped half red morocco, marbled paper boards (Lacornée).

Literary illustrations; author and illustrator portraits.

The unsigned illustrations of this edition are generally attributed to Duplessi-Bertaux, who would have engraved his own designs. The portrait vignette on the title to vol. 1 is by Dupréel after Rigau; that in vol. 2 is by Duplessi-Bertaux, and is assumed to be a self-portrait. The edition is cited as printed in 200 copies, plus a special edition of 20 on china paper, of which this copy is one, numbered 18. In addition, this copy contains a view of La Fontaine's house engraved by Lemaitre after Guénepin.
ProvenanceAcquired in October 1904 by William A. Sargent, Boston (1858-1936), by whom bequeathed to MFA, November 17, 1937.