497 - J. PUNT (1711-1779), The raven wants to imitate the eagle, 1759, Etching

J. PUNT (1711-1779), The raven wants to imitate the eagle, 1759, Etching Jan Punt (1711 - 1779 ): The raven wants to imitate the eagle Fable illustration ‘Le Corbeau voulant imiter l'aigle’ featuring a shepherd and a flock of sheep, 1759, Etching Technique: Etching on Paper Impression Quality: An absolutely superb, harmonious print with crisp, well-defined lines and a well-balanced black tone. Inscription: lower left signed in the printing plate: "J. Punt del. et sculps.". At the lower part inscribed in the printing plate: "LE CORBEAU VOULANT IMITER L’AIGLE. / Fable XXXVIII.". Date: 1759 Description: Within a printed border, a pastoral landscape with trees and an open sky is depicted. On the right, a winged bird is plummeting down with a lamb; below it, a shepherd, standing with his legs apart, is wrestling with another bird that has become entangled amongst the sheep. Several sheep are grouped in the foreground, whilst a dog lies alert on the ground to the right. The figures are rendered using delicate parallel hatching and dense cross-hatching; light illuminates the middle ground and draws the eye towards the dramatic action. The scene combines pastoral tranquillity with narrative tension and, through its title and plot, alludes to a moralising fable about imitation and hubris. Source: Jean de la Fontaine (1621 -1695 ) Fables choisies, 1802 | Book, Mythology, Genre, Fashion Keywords: Fable; Shepherd; Sheep; Dog; Bird; Raven; Eagle; Pastoral landscape; Forest; Animal piece; Genre scene; Moral lesson; Book illustration; Etching; Engraving; French title; 18th century; pastoral scene; animal fight; allegory of imitation; 18th century; Classicism; Genre; France; Size: Paper: 19,5 cm x 12,3 cm (7,7 x 4,8 in), Depiction: 13,3 cm x 8,3 cm (5,2 x 3,3 in) Condition: Good condition. Overall, in good condition for its age and well preserved. Puncture marks from an old binding are visible on the side of the page edge. The corners of the sheets show minimal wear. There is some browning along the edges. A few faint mould stains are visible.