2V Jean-Baptiste Poquelin OEUVRES DE MOLIERE 1888/1896 Antique French Comedy Literature Decorative Oversized Illustrations Engravings Jacques Leman Maurice Leloir Paris
Title: Oeuvres de Moliere
Author: Jean-Baptiste Poquelin - Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, known by his stage name Molière was a French playwright, actor and poet, widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the French language and universal literature. His extant works includes comedies, farces, tragicomedies, comédie-ballets, and more. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed at the Comédie-Française more often than those of any other playwright today.

Born into a prosperous family and having studied at the Collège de Clermont (now Lycée Louis-le-Grand), Molière was well suited to begin a life in the theatre. Thirteen years as an itinerant actor helped him polish his comic abilities while he began writing, combining Commedia dell'arte elements with the more refined French comedy.

Through the patronage of aristocrats including Philippe I, Duke of Orléans—the brother of Louis XIV—Molière procured a command performance before the King at the Louvre. Performing a classic play by Pierre Corneille and a farce of his own, The Doctor in Love, Molière was granted the use of salle du Petit-Bourbon near the Louvre, a spacious room appointed for theatrical performances. Later, he was granted the use of the theatre in the Palais-Royal. In both locations Molière found success among Parisians with plays such as The Affected Ladies, The School for Husbands and The School for Wives. This royal favour brought a royal pension to his troupe and the title Troupe du Roi ("The King's Troupe"). Molière continued as the official author of court entertainments.

Despite the adulation of the court and Parisians, Molière's satires attracted criticism from churchmen. For Tartuffe's impiety, the Catholic Church denounced this study of religious hypocrisy followed by the Parliament's ban, while Don Juan was withdrawn and never restaged by Molière. [1] His hard work in so many theatrical capacities took its toll on his health and, by 1667, he was forced to take a break from the stage. In 1673, during a production of his final play, The Imaginary Invalid, Molière, who suffered from pulmonary tuberculosis, was seized by a coughing fit and a haemorrhage while playing the hypochondriac Argan. He finished the performance but collapsed again and died a few hours later.
Publisher: Emile Testard
City: Paris
Year: 1888/1896
Binding Style: Hardcover
Number of Volumes: 2 Full Set: Yes
Width: 10" Height: 12.75"
Book Details: This handsome antique two-volume set containing the works of Moliere is bound in half leather with gilt lettering and tooling on the spine plus marbled boards and end papers.

Both volumes are lavishly illustrated with engravings by Maurice Leloir and Jacques Leman that include textual drawings and title page vignettes.



Condition / Notes: This handsome antique oversized two-volume set shows well bound in half leather with gilt lettering and ornate tooling on the spine.

The books show some age/wear externally concentrated at the extremities, including separated and present boards and spine coverings.

The bindings are secure, pages are bright and clean and there is light age toning throughout.


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