The Monkey and the Dolphin
1867
Gustave Doré turns a simple fable into a dramatic, stormy spectacle in this 1867 masterpiece. A monkey, looking perhaps a bit too comfortable, rides atop a massive, scaly sea creature that resembles a lion-fish hybrid more than a friendly dolphin. This illustrates Jean de La Fontaine's tale where a lying monkey tries to pass himself off as a noble Athenian to his rescuer, only to be dropped into the sea when he claims 'Piraeus' is a best friend rather than a port. Doré's incredible cross-hatching makes the churning water and cloudy sky feel intensely atmospheric, capturing the chaotic energy of the ocean just before the monkey's inevitable comeuppance.
- Technique
- Engraving
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