Oudry’s Fables

Jean-Baptiste Oudry was a portrait painter who was also well known for his ability to render animals. This is likely why he was inspired in 1729–34 to compose 277 drawings based on the animal fables of Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695). Oudry made these compositions for his own artistic practice and enjoyment. Upon his death, however, the suite of drawings was acquired by the writer and editor Louis Regnard de Montenault (act. 1750–60), who used them to illustrate a monumental new printed edition of the Fables (in the center of the room). Montenault employed Charles-Nicolas Cochin the Younger to rework the drawings so that they could be more effectively converted into engravings.