Fabel van de vlieg en de muilezel 1769

This small etching by Dutch artist Simon Fokke depicts a fable about a fly and a donkey. It's one of 134 illustrations he created for "Fables and Stories for Children". The scene shows a donkey pulling a cart with a man sitting in it. While Fokke's illustrations were intended for a young audience, this etching shows a more mature style reminiscent of early Dutch masters, with meticulous detail and a keen eye for perspective. The composition also emphasizes the contrast between the smallness of the fly and the immense size of the donkey, creating a humorous and thought-provoking commentary on the power dynamics between different beings.