Le Gumiho et la grue

In The Raven and the Fox, La Fontaine presents the raven, a symbol of vanity and credulity, and the fox, an incarnation of cunning and flattery. Flattered by the fox's words, the raven opens its beak to sing and drops its cheese, which the fox hastens to seize—thus showing how pride leads to downfall.

In Korea, the crane plays an almost opposite role to that of the raven: it represents purity, wisdom, and spiritual elevation, far from any vanity. The gumiho, the nine-tailed fox, on the other hand, shares the same symbolic essence as La Fontaine's fox: a deceptive seduction and a dangerous cunning that exploit weakness.

Thus, by comparing these figures, we can say that the raven/fox duo in La Fontaine illustrates human fragility in the face of flattery, while the crane/gumiho duo in Korea contrasts spiritual virtue with cunning perfidy. In both cultures, this opposition emphasizes that true greatness lies neither in appearances nor in flattering words, but in inner wisdom.

Size: 60 X 30 cm

Materials: Gouache on canvas