Jean-Baptiste Patas

Jean-Baptiste Patas is recognized in art history solely through his work as an illustrator and printmaker active during the French Revolutionary period, with all currently documented examples dating specifically to 1795 (l'an III de la République). His artistic contribution centers on high-quality prints created for literary publications.

Patas is known for the illustrative plates he produced for the esteemed edition of Contes et nouvelles en vers by Jean de La Fontaine, published in Paris by P. Didot. The verifiable record of his work includes six prints held in museum collections. These illustrations, executed in the demanding medium of engraving, relate directly to the fables and tales of La Fontaine. Notable examples represented in institutional holdings include the plates Belphegor, Le Pate d'Anguilles, and On ne s'avise jamais du tout.

The significance of Jean-Baptiste Patas prints is secured by their inclusion in major institutions, specifically the Metropolitan Museum of Art. These eighteenth-century book illustrations offer valuable documentation regarding print production and artistic style during a politically tumultuous era. As historical artwork often residing in the public domain, these illustrations are frequently accessed for research and are sometimes reproduced as high-quality prints.

Jean-Baptiste Patas

Works in Collection

Belphegor, from "Contes et nouvelles en vers par Jean de La Fontaine. A Paris, de l'imprimerie de P. Didot, l'an III de la République, 1795"

Belphegor, from Contes et nouvelles en vers par Jean de La Fontaine. A Paris, de l'imprimerie de P. Didot, l'an III de la République, 1795

Le Pate d'Anguilles, from "Contes et nouvelles en vers par Jean de La Fontaine. A Paris, de l'imprimerie de P. Didot, l'an III de la République, 1795"

Le Pate d'Anguilles, from "Contes et nouvelles en vers par Jean de La Fontaine. A Paris, de l'imprimerie de P. Didot, l'an III de la République, 1795"

On ne s'avise jamais du tout, from "Contes et nouvelles en vers par Jean de La Fontaine. A Paris, de l'imprimerie de P. Didot, l'an III de la République, 1795"

On ne s'avise jamais du tout, from "Contes et nouvelles en vers par Jean de La Fontaine. A Paris, de l'imprimerie de P. Didot, l'an III de la République, 1795"