Gustave Doré Wood Engraving – The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse, La Fontaine

Description

This Gustave Doré wood engraving illustrates Jean de La Fontaine’s fable “The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse”, titled “Le Rat de ville et le Rat des champs” beneath the image. The composition belongs to Doré’s illustrations for the Fables published in 1868.

The two animals appear among an elaborate arrangement of decorated vessels, fruit, drinking cups and patterned textiles. A large tilted platter forms the centre of the composition, surrounded by richly ornamented objects. Overturned vessels and the animals’ movements bring a sense of disturbance to this luxurious setting.

The engraving translates Doré’s drawing into fine networks of lines, describing the rats’ fur, the folds and patterns of the cloth, and the reflective surfaces of the metalwork. Strong contrasts between light and shadow give depth to the crowded scene.

The subject recalls the fable’s contrast between a luxurious but anxious existence and the security of a simpler life. Its combination of animal illustration, decorative detail and literary association makes it an appealing print for a study, library or collection of nineteenth-century book illustrations.

The image includes the printed names “G. Doré” at the lower right and “Pannemaker-Doms” in the lower section. These inscriptions form part of the engraved image; they are not handwritten signatures. The French title remains visible below the illustration.

Details:

• Designer: Gustave Doré.

• Engraver’s inscription: Pannemaker-Doms.

• Technique: wood engraving on paper.

• Reference publication: La Fontaine’s Fables,1868.

• Sheet dimensions: 28 × 23 cm.

• Printed image dimensions: 23.8 × 19 cm.