520 - J. PUNT (1711–1779), *The Fox and the Bust*, 1761, etching

J. PUNT (1711–1779), *The Fox and the Bust*, 1761, etching Jan Punt (1711–1779): The Fox and the Bust—The Fox Before a Bust in an Architectural Landscape, Fable LXXIV, 1761, etching Technique: Etching on paper Print Quality: Clear lines with a beautiful, deep black tone. Inscription: Signed in the lower left on the printing plate: "J. Punt del. et sculps.". At the bottom, inscribed on the printing plate: "LE RENARD ET LE BUSTE. Fable LXXIV.". Date: 1761 Description: On the left, the sheet depicts an oval niche set into an architectural structure, containing a female bust on a plinth, entwined with foliage. Next to it, a mask-like male head appears as a decorative architectural element. In the right-hand foreground, a fox approaches the bust with a tense posture, its head raised and its bushy tail held aloft. A narrow path leads into a sparsely wooded landscape with a low horizon line. The composition contrasts the rigid sculpture with the lively animal. Delicate parallel hatching, cross-hatching, and subtle tonal gradations define forms, light, and space. The contrast between the dense architectural framing on the left and the open natural space on the right structures the narrative punchline of the allusion to a fable. Source: Jean de la Fontaine (1621–1695) *Fables choisies*, 1802 | Book, Mythology, Genre, Fashion Keywords: Fox; Bust; Fable; Architectural setting; Niche; Sculpture; Landscape; Trees; Ornamental plants; Pedestal; Mask; Allegory; Book illustration; Engraving; Hatching; Depiction of an animal; Inscription; 18th century; 18th century; Classicism; Genre; France; Size: Paper: 19.3 cm x 12.5 cm (7.6 x 4.9 in), Illustration: 13.1 cm x 8.4 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 are slightly bumped. There is some browning along the edges. A few faint mold stains are visible. The page edge is slightly creased and has faint traces of foxing.