Apollo, Mercury, and the Shepherdesses, Fable X in La Motte, Fables Nouvelles 1719

This is Charles Nicolas Cochin’s engraving, "Apollo, Mercury, and the Shepherdesses," made as an illustration for La Motte’s fables. It’s a tightly composed scene, divided between the earthly and divine. Notice how the linear quality of the engraving defines the figures and elements within the fable. On the left, the dark, dense lines delineate the earthbound shepherd next to the stacked logs, while on the right, lighter, more ethereal lines depict Apollo and Mercury amidst the clouds. The figures are positioned asymmetrically to draw attention to the earthly and divine realms which can also be seen in the sky behind Apollo. The contrast between the solid, grounded forms and the airy, celestial ones creates a visual hierarchy. This juxtaposition isn't just aesthetic; it's a semiotic device, highlighting the fable’s themes of value and deception. Cochin uses the graphic language of line and form not just to illustrate a story, but to engage with deeper questions about perception, representation, and the stories we tell ourselves.