Oeuvres de Moliere : avec des remarques grammaticales, des avertissemens et des observations sur chaque piéce, par M. Bret

Art Historical Context

Step into the world of 18th-century literature with *Oeuvres de Moli*, a lavish six-volume edition published in 1773 by La Compagnie des libraires. This collection gathers the complete plays of Jean-Baptiste Poquel, known as Molière—the master of French classical comedy whose satirical works like *Tartuffe* and *Le Misanthrope* critiqued society with wit and verve. Edited by Antoine Bret, the set includes grammatical notes, warnings, and observations on each piece, reflecting the Enlightenment era's scholarly passion for refining and preserving literary treasures. Contributions from luminaries like Voltaire add intellectual depth, making it a cornerstone for students and admirers alike. What elevates this edition artistically are its exquisite illustrations, portraits, and engravings, standing at an elegant 8¼ inches tall. Renowned engraver Jean Michel Moreau the Younger captures the drama through intricate vignettes, while portraits draw from Pierre Mignard's paintings and Michel Lambert's musical ties to Molière's world. These techniques—fine-line engraving on high-quality paper—transformed books into visual spectacles, blending text with neoclassical artistry for bourgeois collectors. Housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Libraries thanks to Jayne Wrightsman's 2008 gift, this set underscores Molière's enduring cultural legacy. It reveals how 18th-century France revered its theatrical icons, merging literature, scholarship, and printmaking into a harmonious whole that still enchants today.

About the Artist

M. (Antoine) Bret|Michel Lambert|Voltaire|Jean-Baptiste Poquelin Molière|Pierre Mignard |Jean Michel Moreau the Younger|La Compagnie des libraires associés (French|French|French|French|French|French|French) · 1717 |1722 |1694 |1622 |1612 |1741 | –1792 |1787 |1778 |1673 |1695 |1814 |

French, Dijon 1717–1792 Paris|French, 1722?–1787|French, Paris 1694–1778 Paris|French, 1622–1673|French, Troyes 1612–1695 Paris|French, Paris 1741–1814 Paris|