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)

Date1957

DimensionsBook: 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)

MediumReproductions: 50 line block reproductions of ink drawings on ivory wove paper, incl. 2 in red (covers). Text: photolithography in black and red (typeface: Garamond).

ClassificationBooks

Credit LineGift of Molly and Walter Bareiss

Object number

1984.330

Not on View

Label TextJean 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)Exhibition HistoryToledo Museum of Art, Don't Feed the Books: Birds, Bugs, and Bestiaries Featuring the Molly and Walter Bareiss Collection of Modern Illustrated Books, April 13-July 1, 2001.