Fables d'Esope, avec les Figures de Sadeler

Abstract

Here is the French translation of the original German "Theatrum Morum" of 1608, published by Paul Sesse in Prag. The illustrations, however lovely, are done "after" Sadeler, not by him. After a signed frontispiece offering humans on an upper tier and animals on a lower tier, there are 139 prose fables, each with a rectangular illustration covering about half of the right-hand page with a "sens moral," while the text takes up the left-hand page. There are some unfortunate brown stains on this lovely old book's pages. Apparently Sadeler follows in the tradition of de Dene. In any case, these are wonderfully active and detailed illustrations! 279 pages. This book has clearly been around for a while! My prizes among the illustrations go to "The Thief and the Dog" (41); "The Ass and the Lapdog" (103); WLS (131); and "The Bull and the Calf" (135).