Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, known by his stage name Molière, was a French playwright, actor, and poet, widely regarded as one of the great writers in the French language and world literature. His extant works include comedies, farces, tragicomedies, comédie-ballets, and more. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed at the Comédie-Française more often than those of any other playwright today. His influence is such that the French language is often referred to as the "language of Molière".
Portrait of Molière by Pierre Mignard (c. 1658)
Molière as Caesar in The Death of Pompey by Pierre Corneille, portrait by Nicolas Mignard
Illustration after Pierre Brissart for the printed text of L'Étourdi ou les Contretemps
First volume of a 1739 translation into English of all of Molière's plays, printed by John Watts.
The Comédie-Française or Théâtre-Français is one of the few state theatres in France. Founded in 1680, it is the oldest active theatre company in the world. Established as a French state-controlled entity in 1995, it is the only state theatre in France to have its own permanent troupe of actors. The company's primary venue is the Salle Richelieu, which is a part of the Palais-Royal complex and located at 2, Rue de Richelieu on Place André-Malraux in the 1st arrondissement of Paris.
Comédie-Française, late 18th century
A performance of Marivaux's La Double Inconstance in 2015
Iconic corner, entry to the Salle Richelieu, 2009
