Illustration of La Fontaine's Fable of "the Acorn and the Pumpkin" 1881

Jules Bastien-Lepage rendered this illustration of La Fontaine's "The Acorn and the Pumpkin" in watercolor, ink, and graphite on paper. Bastien-Lepage situates us in a moment of contemplation through a composition that reflects rural life and a society shaped by agricultural labor. Here, the artist directs our attention to a lone figure and modest pumpkin, set against the backdrop of a verdant forest. This tableau invites consideration of nature’s provisions set alongside human needs. The peasant pauses, perhaps pondering the fable's themes of satisfaction, questioning, and accepting one’s lot in life. Bastien-Lepage, painting in a France still influenced by deep class divisions, depicts the quiet dignity of the working class. Through this intimate portrayal, we are asked to reflect on the value of contentment, the realities of rural existence, and the simple beauty of life's offerings.