Drapped bust right, Tomb. Under, laying genius on the left, holding a palm, Jean de La Fontaine (1621-1695), poet, moralist, and playwright, revived the style of fables, breathing new life into them to explore the relationship between humankind and nature, denounce power, and propose a way of life. His work extends beyond fables; he also wrote plays and tales. A former supporter of Fouquet, he was elected to the French Academy in 1684 despite the hostility of Louis XIV., JEAN DE - LA FONTAINE // I.D., DE L'ACADEMIE / FRANCOISE / POETE / M.1692 // I.D.F.