The Cicada and the Ant – Art Print from Gustave Doré’s Fables of La Fontaine

This fine art print features one of Gustave Doré’s most poignant reinterpretations of La Fontaine’s Fables. In this engraving from 1867, “The Cicada and the Ant” becomes a deeply moving social allegory. The cicada is no longer an insect, but a poor and dignified woman standing barefoot in the snow, a musical instrument in hand and two children at her side. The ant, safely behind a window, is a cold and distant bourgeois figure.

With this transformation, Doré shifts the tale from moral lesson to emotional tragedy. His visual realism replaces La Fontaine’s ironic tone with a harsh commentary on inequality and indifference.

Originally, Doré had drawn a naturalistic sketch, portraying actual insects. But in the final engraving, he chose realism and human drama — a key example of his genius in modernizing the classic fables.

Printed on archival, museum-grade paper, this print preserves the detail and depth of Doré’s masterful composition.

Want to explore more? Read our article on Doré’s Fables: Gustave Doré and the Dark Poetry of La Fontaine’s Fables

About your art print : The Cicada and the Ant by Gustave Doré

• Premium-quality art poster

• Faithful reproduction from the original 19th-century engraving

• Museum-grade matte paper

• Multiple sizes available

• Printed in Europe, free worldwide shipping

Customization & Fine Art Paper Option :

Feel free to contact me if you’d like the image adapted to fit a specific frame or if you’d like the width of the white margins adjusted.
I also offer prints on Hahnemühle German Etching Fine Art paper — please get in touch for pricing details.

Hahnemühle German Etching
German Etching by Hahnemühle is a thick, slightly warm white paper with an exceptional velvety texture. It produces rich, high-contrast Fine Art prints with intense colors and deep blacks. Thanks to its surface texture, it absorbs more ink and captures light beautifully.
One of our heaviest Fine Art papers, it is known for its felt-like texture and artisanal look. This robust paper does not fray easily at the edges, giving each print a handcrafted, museum-quality finish.