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The Monkey and the Cat, illustration for Fables of La Fontaine (1621-95)
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The Monkey and the Cat, illustration for Fables of La Fontaine (1621-95)
498815 The Monkey and the Cat, illustration for Fables of La Fontaine (1621-95), published by H. Fournier Aine, 1838 (engraving) by Grandville (Jean Ignace Isidore Gerard) (1803-47); Private Collection; (add.info.: Le Singe et le Chat; in this fable the monkey Bertrand persuades the cat Raton to pull chestnuts from the fire, promising him a share; the monkey eats all the chestnuts while the cat gets his paws burnt; a maid enters and disturbs them and the cat gets no reward for its pains; origin of the English idiom Cats paw, referring to a person used unwittingly by another to accomplish his own purposes; ); French, out of copyright
Media ID 23553390
© Bridgeman Images
Anthropomorphic Bertrand Cautionary Chestnuts Fable La Fontaine Monkey Moral Raton Tale
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This illustration, titled "The Monkey and the Cat" transports us into the world of fables and anthropomorphic characters. Created by Grandville (Jean Ignace Isidore Gerard) in 1838, it is a print from the Fables of La Fontaine collection published by H. Fournier Aine. In this cautionary tale, we witness the cunning monkey Bertrand convincing his unsuspecting companion, Raton the cat, to retrieve chestnuts from a blazing fire. Promising to share the spoils with Raton, Bertrand devours all the chestnuts himself while poor Raton's paws get burned. To add insult to injury, just as they are about to be caught red-handed by a maid, their efforts are disrupted and Raton receives no reward for his painful ordeal. This story serves as an origin for the English idiom "Cat's paw" which refers to someone being used unknowingly by another for their own purposes. It reminds us of the importance of caution and not blindly trusting others who may have ulterior motives. Grandville's intricate engraving brings these characters to life with remarkable detail and expression. The scene captures both humor and moral lessons that have resonated throughout generations. This enchanting print is a testament to Grandville's talent in illustrating timeless tales that continue to captivate audiences today.
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