The Calouste Gulbenkian Museum celebrates once again World Book and Copyright Day, this time evoking the work of the famous playwright Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, best known as Molière.

Similarly to what happened last year, the display of four books acquired by Calouste Gulbenkian – including the first illustrated edition from 1682 – is complemented by a small publication, which casts a glance at Molière’s life and work, highlighting the most important moments of his career as a playwright and actor.

Profusely illustrated, this publication, along with the exhibition, intends to explore how the author observed and criticized the society of his time, privileging comedy and satire as ways of expression. Molière’s talent inspired many artists including Caffieri, author of the bust that accompanies the literary works now on display in the Museum. We hope this project helps to inspire the readers and to make them curious about the French playwright’s work, whose themes keep in tune with our time.