The Monkey and the Dolphin – Gustave Doré, La Fontaine's Fables

A monkey rides on the back of a dolphin through a stormy sea. Gustave Doré turns La Fontaine's fable into a dramatic scene: huge waves, a dark sky and, in the middle, the little monkey clinging to its rescuer. Every line of the engraving adds to the movement of the water.

In the fable, the dolphin saves the monkey from a shipwreck, mistaking it for a man. But the monkey boasts and lies, and the dolphin, realising its mistake, throws it back into the sea.

Why it works on your wall

• Black and white with a story: ideal in a library, a study or a child's room.
• Graphic and timeless: it fits any palette.
• Framing tip: a black frame and a wide white mount, like an old book plate.

The engraving

Gustave Doré (1832–1883) illustrated La Fontaine's Fables in 1867, one of the many great books, from Dante to the Bible, that made him the most famous illustrator of his time. His wood engravings are admired for their sense of drama and their dark, rich tones.

• Artist: Gustave Doré (1832–1883)
• Book: Fables of La Fontaine (1867)
• Technique: wood engraving

Your print

• Restored from a high-definition scan of the original engraving
• Printed in Europe on thick archival matte paper, FSC certified
• A wide choice of sizes, all designed for standard frames
• Free shipping, no minimum order. Shipped rolled in a sturdy tube

Discover all our La Fontaine fables by Doré and our Gustave Doré engravings.