LA FONTAINE, Jean de. Contes et Nouvelles en Vers. Introduction and long afterward about the importance of the Fragonard drawings by José-Luis de Los Llanos. 350, [2] pp. Illustrated with a total of 75 colour plates, including 57 pen and ink designs after Jean-Honoré Fragonard. Thick 4to., bound in gilt-stamped blue cloth in illustrated slipcase. Paris: Diane De Selliers, 1994.
First Edition. An extra impression of the plate, "La Servante justifée," laid-in. This work marks the first time that the complete suite of 57 original pen and ink drawings by Fragonard have been published to accompany the text for which they were originally created. They are reproduced in full colour in their original size. The other illustrations include reproductions of key Fragonard paintings, and engravings by Boucher, Eisen, Cochin, de Lancret, Subleyras, etc. which were also designed to illustrate these risque tales of amour by La Fontaine.
Included is a long piece on the complicated history and importance of the superb Fragonard drawings by Los Llanos, head curator of the Petit Palais in Paris. A beautiful production of La Fontaine's Contes as well as a work of primary art historical significance. As new.