Attributed to Michel-François DANDRÉ-BARDON (Aix-en-Provence, 1700 - Paris, 1783) "The Mired Cart Driver", illustration of the fable by Jean de la Fontaine Oil on canvas, with a scalloped upper section "God helps those that help themselves", oil on canvas, attr. to M.-F. Dandré-Bardon 28.34 x 48.03 in. 72.0 x 122.0 cm This illustration, attributed to Michel-François Dandré-Bardon, depicts one of Jean de La Fontaine's famous fables, Le Chartier embourbé. The main character, whose cart is stuck in the mud, first invokes divine help before realising that he can only get out of the situation by his own efforts. The moral of the fable, "Help yourself, and heaven will help you", is a reminder of the importance of individual initiative in overcoming difficulties. The famous edition of La Fontaine's Fables illustrated by Oudry depicts the cart driver, also equipped with a hoe, clearing the wheel of his cart. The work also refers to the myth of Phaeton. The son of Helios, Phaeton tried to drive the solar chariot but, unable to keep control of it, nearly set the earth ablaze before being struck down by Zeus. Not without humour, La Fontaine named the charioteer after the son of the Sun... This myth reveals the dangers of excessive and uncontrolled ambition, a recurring theme in morality tales. Attributed to Michel-François DANDRÉ-BARDON (Aix-en-Provence, 1700 - Paris, 1783) 72.0 x 122.0 cm This illustration, attributed to Michel-François Dandré-Bardon, depicts one of Jean de La Fontaine's famous fables, Le Chartier embourbé. The main character, whose cart is stuck in the mud, first calls on God for help before realising that only his own efforts can get him out of the situation. The moral of the fable, "Help yourself, and heaven will help you", is a reminder of the importance of individual initiative in overcoming difficulties. The famous edition of La Fontaine's Fables illustrated by Oudry depicts the cart driver, also carrying a hoe, clearing the wheel of his cart. The work also refers to the myth of Phaeton. The son of Helios, Phaeton tried to drive the solar chariot but, unable to keep control of it, nearly set the earth ablaze before being struck down by Zeus. Not without humour, La Fontaine named the charioteer after the son of the Sun... This myth reveals the dangers of excessive and uncontrolled ambition, a recurring theme in morality tales.