The Little Dog shaking Money and Gems

Taken from a story in La Fontaine’s 'Contes', part III, verse xiv. Anselme, a magistrate of Mantua, goes on an embassy to Rome leaving his wife Argie behind. Her lover Atis reaches her room with the help of the fairy Manto that is transformed into a Spaniel that only has to shake itself to produce jewels and coins.

The picture is one of twelve illustrations to the Contes painted by Lancret. They served as models for engraved illustrations of Lafontaine, the so-called 'Suite Larmessin', that comprised a total of 38 engravings after seven painters that were published between 1733 and 1743. The series had been begun after paintings by Jean-Baptiste Pater; Lancret took over providing the models after Pater's death in 1736.