Fire vignetter til La Fontaines fabler 1765 - 1833

Gerhard Ludvig Lahde created these vignettes for La Fontaine’s fables in the late 18th or early 19th century, using engraving on paper. Lahde lived during a time of significant social change, including the rise of nationalism and evolving class structures. These vignettes, designed to accompany fables, often use animals to explore human follies and societal norms. The choice of animals as protagonists allows a critical yet distanced view of human behavior, reflecting on themes of power, morality, and social hierarchy. This approach can either reinforce or subvert the existing societal norms, subtly commenting on the social and political landscape of the time. There is an interesting interplay between the charm of the illustrations and their underlying critical perspective. This invites us to reflect on our own behaviors and societal structures through the lens of simple, yet profound, narratives.