1755 ❧ LA FONTAINE, JEAN DE. 1621-1695. OUDRY, JEAN-BAPTISTE. 1686-1755, ARTIST. Fables choisies, mises en vers. Chez Desaint & Saillant, [et] Durand, de l'Imprimerie de Charles-Antoine Jombert, 1755-1759. 4 volumes, folio (414 x 320 mm). Allegorical frontispiece, engraved portrait, and 275 engraved plates after Oudry. Some toning and staining, small tide mark to a few margins in volume 2. Contemporary Spanish autumn leaf calf, spines with six raised bands, red and green lettering pieces in two compartments, the remaining each with a central floral device surrounded by leafy and other small tools, covers ruled, all edges gilt. Possible very expert and discrete repairs to spine ends. Provenance: Daniel Wilson, Esq. (1680-1754) British Whig politician (bookplate). The 1755-1759 Desaint & Saillant printing of La Fontaine's Fables represents one of the most ambitious, artistically cohesive, and technically successful illustrated books ever produced. The legendary status of this set relies entirely on the drawings of Jean-Baptiste Oudry, who served as the Director of the Beauvais Tapestry Factory. Between 1729 and 1734, Oudry executed 276 free-flowing ink and wash sketches of the fables purely for his own artistic amusement. As noted by bibliographers, the visual genius of the edition lies in its naturalism. Rather than leaning into the popular, highly sexualized or 'boudoir' themes common to Rococo French illustration, Oudry channeled an immense fascination with the animal kingdom. Most of his dynamic scenes are set en plein air, capturing raw landscapes, architectural ruins, and carefully observed fauna with astonishing precision. Translating these fluid, airy sketches into rigid copperplate engravings required a massive workshop of over forty master engravers, harmonized under the strict artistic guidance of Charles-Nicolas Cochin. Typographically, the set is a triumph of French Enlightenment symmetry. Printed by Jombert on thick paper stock, the massive fields of Roman type stand in perfect, harmonious equilibrium with the vast scale of the landscape plates. Cohen-De Ricci 548-550; Ray French 5. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing