This etching by Claude Gillot, titled "The King of the Animals", depicts a gathering of animals in a detailed, illustrative style. The print, likely from a book of fables, showcases Gillot's skill in rendering textures and forms through fine lines.

Claude Gillot's "The King of the Animals" presents a scene teeming with various creatures, rendered in fine, delicate lines characteristic of etching. The composition is relatively flat, typical of early 18th-century illustrative prints, with a focus on detailed depictions of animals rather than deep perspective. The print likely served as an illustration for a book of fables, as suggested by the text above the image, which translates to "New Fables, Book Four, Fable One". The animals, including an elephant, bull, deer, lion, and leopard, are arranged in a dense, almost ornamental manner, filling the frame. Gillot's skill is evident in the way he differentiates textures and forms using only line work. The overall effect is one of ordered complexity, inviting close inspection to appreciate the detail. The print offers a glimpse into the artistic conventions and illustrative practices of the period, reflecting a blend of natural observation and stylised representation.