Le Singe et le chat
Medium
Etching; fifth state of five
Dimensions
Sheet: 16 7/8 × 11 3/8 in. (42.9 × 28.9 cm) Plate: 15 1/4 × 10 9/16 in. (38.7 × 26.9 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1963
Accession Number
63.625.16(1)
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
"Le Singe et le Chat (The Monkey and the), an etching from 1886, to life a whimsical scene from Jean de La Fontaine's renowned 17th-century fables. Created by master etcher Félix Bracquem, possibly after a design by Symbolist painter Gustave Moreau, published by the prominent art firm Boussod, Valadon & Co., this fifth and final state exemplifies the collaborative spirit of late 19-century French printmaking. The intimate interior setting features a clever monkey and unsuspecting cat, evoking the fable's moral about cunning exploitation—where the monkey persuades the cat to retrieve roasting chestnuts from the fire, only to enjoy them itself. Bracquemond, a pivotal figure in the etching revival, championed the medium's expressive potential during an era when prints bridged fine art and illustration. This work reflects the enduring popularity of La Fontaine's animal allegories, which satirized human folly and were frequently reinterpreted in visual arts. Produced in multiple states, the fifth refines details through progressive reworking, showcasing etching's technical precision: lines incised into a metal plate with acid, inked, and printed for rich tonal depth. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, this 16 7/8 × 11 3/8-inch sheet captures a playful yet pointed moment, inviting visitors to ponder timeless lessons amid masterful craftsmanship.
About the Artist
Félix Bracquemond|Gustave Moreau|Jean de La Fontaine|Boussod, Valadon and Co.|Boussod, Valadon & Co. · 1833–1914
French, Paris 1833–1914 Sèvres