| Antique Print Reynard the Fox ArtFrom an absolutely beautiful, rare edition of the classic tale of Reynard the Fox - a trickster figure whose story is told in a number of anthropomorphic tales from medieval Europe. Reynard is accused by the other animals of all manner of heinous crimes and is summoned by the King (Lion) to court to defend himself. This is an exquisite, high quality rare steel engraving after designs by H Leutemann. A really beautiful, rare steel engraving - Illustrating "Isegrim & the Bells" - in which Reynard confesses his sins against Isegrim the wolf, which include tying him to the convent bell by his feet: -"As for the Wolf, to tell each wrong, Would make my story far too long; But once - six summer since have flown, he came unto the convent lone, In which I then did dwell; Hoping by fast and penance drear, A former load of sins to clear. - He came I say, and sought mine aid, - Straightway a monk he would be made; And begg'd mine interest might provide, That he, at morn and eventide, Might toll the bonvent bell. - To his fore feet the rope I bound, That he might hear his favorite sound, And show'd him every different chime, From matin, vestper, and for prime."
(H Leutemann pinx, A H Payne sc) |