Dom Garcie de Navarre ou le prince Jaloux, from Gravures de Boucher pour les Oeuvres de Molière [Figures de Boucher pour Molière] 1734 - 1770

Laurent Cars created this print, Dom Garcie de Navarre ou le prince Jaloux, after a drawing by François Boucher, to illustrate Molière's work. It captures a dramatic moment of intimate betrayal, set within the lavish interiors that defined the French court. The image invites us to consider the politics of love and jealousy within the rigid social hierarchies of 18th-century France. The embrace of the central figures contrasts with the lurking presence of the jealous prince, his gaze a stark reminder of the ever-present surveillance and competition for status and affection. The elaborate costumes and setting are not mere decoration; they signify the characters' positions and the stakes of their emotional entanglements. In Molière's comedy, the characters navigate love, loyalty, and ambition, reflecting the complex social landscape of their time. This image, like the play, uses personal dramas to explore broader themes of power and societal expectations.