Portret van Jean de La Fontaine 1729 - 1794

Etienne Ficquet created this print, now at the Rijksmuseum, using engraving to portray Jean de La Fontaine. The composition immediately strikes one with its structured formality. The oval portrait of La Fontaine is centered, framed by architectural elements and decorative motifs. Notice how Ficquet uses line and texture to create depth and detail. The contrast between the smooth face and the intricately rendered wig draws our eye, and the differing shades create a sense of volume. The rectangular base, adorned with roses and a relief of birds, adds a layer of symbolic meaning. The birds and flowers might be seen as semiotic elements, representing themes of nature and fable that were central to La Fontaine's work. The very structure of the print—the framed portrait above a decorative base—reflects a hierarchical way of representing its subject. The piece invites ongoing interpretation, acknowledging the interplay between artistic form and cultural context.