Selected Fables
Artist: Alexander Calder (American, 1898-1976)
Author: Jean de La Fontaine (French, 1621-1695)
Publisher: George Braziller, Inc., New York, 1957 (1st ed. 1948)
Date: 1957
Dimensions:
Book: H: 12 3/16 in. (310 mm); W: 9 3/8 in. (238 mm); Depth: 5/8 in. (16 mm)
Page: H: 11 7/8 in. (302 mm); W: 8 7/8 in. (226 mm)
Medium: Reproductions: 50 line block reproductions of ink drawings on ivory wove paper, incl. 2 in red (covers). Text: photolithography in black and red (typeface: Garamond).
Classification: Books
Credit Line: Gift of Molly and Walter Bareiss
Object number: 1984.330
Label Text:Jean de La Fontaine's massive collection of rhymed fables was first published in 1668. They became increasingly popular throughout the 18th century and were often republished in multi-volume editions. While viewed as children's literature in the late 19th century, they were originally conceived with an adult audience in mind. It is perhaps because of this that artists in the 20th century began illustrating them in high-quality, limited edition books.
Allexander Calder, whose artistic imagination displays a youthful exuberancce, was an inspired choice as illustrator for these fables.
(see Marc Chagall's version in this gallery)
Allexander Calder, whose artistic imagination displays a youthful exuberancce, was an inspired choice as illustrator for these fables.
(see Marc Chagall's version in this gallery)
Not on view
In Collection(s)