Portret van Jean Baptiste Poquelin Molière c. 1770 - 1810

Antoine Cosme Giraud made this portrait of Jean Baptiste Poquelin Molière through etching. Molière was a 17th-century French playwright and actor, widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the French language. Giraud’s etching after Molière offers us a window into the cultural reverence surrounding literary and theatrical figures in France. Note the way Molière is depicted: his elegant wig, the draped clothing. These visual elements speak to the social status and the cultural significance attributed to playwrights during this era. This image, made after Molière's death, serves as a form of cultural memory, reinforcing his legacy. To understand the image better, we can delve into the historical context of French theatre, the patronage systems that supported the arts, and the cultural values that elevated playwrights to celebrity status. Only by studying these sources can we fully appreciate the complex interplay between art, society, and cultural memory.