Fables Choisies

Abstract

I have a number of books from Gordinne. This may have the broadest inclusion of various styles. Like several other Gordinne volumes, it frequently puts a picture frame around the text of a fable. Like #3149, it includes illustrations by LeRallie and Les Deux Chauves by Lemainque, but this volume includes the artist's name in the illustration, while #3149 does not. Closest is #5416, with which this volume shares a whole 32-page section. In fact, this volume, unfortunately without its title-page, has six sections of 8, 16, 32, 4, 16, and 8 pages. The artistic styles are so different! The four-page section looks suspicious because it does not close with the usual colophon items at the bottom of the page: Imprimé en Belgique et Édité par Gordinne a Liége (Belgique) and Dessins d'Artistes Français. My favorite images here are those by Leroy, like La Lice et sa Compagne (II 3). Others are at II 9, II 15, III 15, III 25, and III 31. Leroy also has monochrome illustrations (II 5 and III 19). Unsigned colored pictures are at III 3, III 9, V 3, and V 15. LeRallie has one colored picture at V 9. There are weak monochromes, like I 5, and dramatic monochromes, like II 7. Among the dramatic monochromes, do not miss The Old Woman and the Two Servants (II 7). The ink is so heavy on some of these that they seem garish. The work of Lemainque is frequent in the last two books. A strong illustration is that for The Two Mules on III 3. The artist takes the moment of execution of the money-carrying mule with a pistol shot to the head. Canvas binding, as is usual for the Gordinne publications.