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Francois Rabelais (c1495-1553), 1777. Artist: Pierre Savart
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Francois Rabelais (c1495-1553), 1777. Artist: Pierre Savart
Francois Rabelais, French writer, satirist, humanist, doctor and monk, 1777. Born at Chinon in Touraine, Rabelais (c1495-1553) is best remembered as the author of the romance La Vie de Gargantua et de Pantagruel (The Life of Gargantua and of Pantagruel) which appeared in four volumes between 1532 and 1552. A fifth work appeared posthumously in 1554 but is of doubtful authenticity. These four comic novels tell the story of the giants Gargantua and Pantagruel. The style is coarse, ribald and exuberant, and the use of language imaginative. The English language owes two adjectives to Rabelais: Gargantuan, of tremendous size or volume, huge appetites; Rabelaisian, coarse, robust, bawdy humour; extravagent caricature. This representation shows his portrait surrounded by ivy, in antiquity sacred to Bacchus and his Satyrs, a reference to excess and satire. On the pillar is a jesters bauble of a carved jesters head and a bladder on a stick
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Media ID 14837785
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Alcofribas Doctor Francois Francois Rabelais Humanism Humanist Monk Monks Physician Pierre Rabelais Satirist Ann Ronan Pictures
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This print captures the essence of Francois Rabelais, a renowned French writer, satirist, humanist, doctor, and monk. Created in 1777 by Pierre Savart, this artwork showcases Rabelais' portrait surrounded by ivy leaves - a symbol historically associated with Bacchus and his Satyrs. This reference to excess and satire perfectly reflects Rabelais' unique style of writing. Born in Chinon in Touraine around 1495, Rabelais is best known for his masterpiece "La Vie de Gargantua et de Pantagruel" (The Life of Gargantua and of Pantagruel), which was published between 1532 and 1552 across four volumes. These comic novels tell the story of two giants named Gargantua and Pantagruel through coarse yet imaginative language that exudes ribald humor. Rabelais' literary contributions have left an indelible mark on the English language as well. Two adjectives owe their existence to him: "Gargantuan" denoting tremendous size or volume along with huge appetites; and "Rabelaisian" describing coarse, robust, bawdy humor combined with extravagant caricature. Intriguingly positioned on a pillar beside the portrait is a jester's bauble featuring a carved head alongside a bladder attached to a stick. This playful addition adds another layer to the representation of Rabelais as it symbolizes jesters' wit while also hinting at his ability to use satire as an effective tool in his writings. Overall, this print serves as both an homage to Francois Rabelais' significant literary contributions and an artistic portrayal that encapsulates his irreverent spirit.
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