The Wolves and the Sheep – Art Print from Gustave Doré’s Fables of La Fontaine

This haunting art print reproduces Gustave Doré’s powerful engraving for The Wolves and the Sheep, one of the darkest fables by Jean de La Fontaine. Originally published in 1867 as part of Doré’s monumental edition of Fables, this image captures a tense, allegorical confrontation in stark black and white.

A full moon shines down on two opposing groups—frightened sheep on one side, and hungry wolves on the other—divided only by a fragile wooden fence. Doré’s use of chiaroscuro and composition evokes classic horror scenes, making this illustration feel almost cinematic in its stillness.

This fable explores themes of justice, hypocrisy, and the fragile balance between innocence and power. Doré visualizes these layers with dramatic depth and poetic force.

Printed on museum-grade paper with archival inks, our reproduction honors the original engraving's precision, texture, and emotional weight.

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 Wolves and the Sheep 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.