Le Pate d'Anguilles, from "Contes et nouvelles en vers par Jean de La Fontaine. A Paris, de l'imprimerie de P. Didot, l'an III de la République, 1795" 1795

Jean-Baptiste Patas created "Le Pate d'Anguilles" in 1795 as part of an illustrated edition of Jean de La Fontaine's tales. The monochromatic print presents a scene with strong diagonals that guide the eye through its various components. Note how light and shadow give depth to the architectural space. Patas uses line and form to create a narrative tableau. The composition is divided horizontally, creating a stage-like space below and an observation point above, destabilizing a unified perspective. Here, each figure reacts to the central event with their own distinct emotion: surprise, curiosity, or perhaps suspicion. The print functions as a semiotic system where clothing, objects, and gestures all signify aspects of class, deception, and social commentary. What fixed meanings are being challenged? The artwork resists a singular interpretation, highlighting how the interplay of visual elements can generate multiple layers of meaning.