Depiction of Home Interiors in Illustrations of Molière’s Works in French 18th-Century Editions

This article examines the problem of depicting a home interior as setting with reference to French literary illustration eighteenth century. Referring scenes from two different series illustrations same texts, author considers role texts in formation visual images interior; methods by artists; prototypes image interior. The main sources research are editions Molière’s Works: engravings based on drawings F. Boucher (1734) and ones J.-M. Moreau (Moreau le Jeune) (1773). some comedies compared editions. comparison demonstrates that interior, schematically described Molière, was arbitrarily depicted artists apartments noble house. They used typology, dйcor, furnishings relevant their time. chose Rococo style (1730s), while preferred Transition (1760–1770s). each other proves copied details similar P. Brissart (1682). Also, Boucher’s compositions prototypes. architectural projects were also for artists. As result, notes patterns setting: interiors did not literally depend text; model determined illustrator’s creative credo followed fashionable design style; created using analogous architects decorators.