Monsieur Purgon in Le Malade Imaginaire
Figurine
19th century (made)
19th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This figurine of Monsieur Purgon, Argan's doctor in Molière's play Le Malade Imaginaire, was made in Paris by the company of Edmé Samson, a famous copyist of pottery and porcelain. Samson established his factory in Paris in 1845, producing pieces inspired by and copied from the work of famous factories, including Meissen, Sèvres, Chelsea, Derby and all the major factories of England, France and Germany, as well as tin-glazed earthenware or faience. He claimed to mark all pieces with his own double 'S' mark as well as the mark of the original piece, but in many cases his own mark is missing.
Le Malade Imaginaire was the last play written by Molière (Jean-Baptiste Poquelin,1622-1673), considered to be France's greatest dramatist. He wrote 27 plays, mostly satirising the foibles of everyday life and such apparently respectable figures as doctors, lawyers and priests. Molière wrote, directed and acted in his plays and, ironically, the role of Argan in Le Malade Imaginaire, a hypochondriac who felt sure he was dying, was Molière's last role. He suffered convulsions following its fourth performance and died that evening.
Le Malade Imaginaire was the last play written by Molière (Jean-Baptiste Poquelin,1622-1673), considered to be France's greatest dramatist. He wrote 27 plays, mostly satirising the foibles of everyday life and such apparently respectable figures as doctors, lawyers and priests. Molière wrote, directed and acted in his plays and, ironically, the role of Argan in Le Malade Imaginaire, a hypochondriac who felt sure he was dying, was Molière's last role. He suffered convulsions following its fourth performance and died that evening.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Monsieur Purgon in Le Malade Imaginaire (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Glazed porcelain |
| Brief description | Figurine of Monsieur Purgon, the doctor in the play Le Malade Imaginaire by Jean-Baptiste Poquelin de Molière (1622-1673). Glazed porcelain, Samson & Company, Paris, 19th century |
| Physical description | Figure of the doctor on a white rococo style base. He wears 17th century dress consisting of a grey periwig, a purple jacket and knee breeches frilled at the cuffs and knees, a white frilled jabot, black shoes with yellow bows and an ornately decorated waistcoat striped in mauve and blue with pink and blue flowers, decorated with gilt. He is looking at a gold pocket watch which he holds in his left hand. The fingers of each hand are missing from the knuckles. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Credit line | Accepted by HM Government in lieu of Inheritance Tax and allocated to the Victoria and Albert Museum, 1996 |
| Literary reference | <i>Le Malade Imaginaire</i> |
| Summary | This figurine of Monsieur Purgon, Argan's doctor in Molière's play Le Malade Imaginaire, was made in Paris by the company of Edmé Samson, a famous copyist of pottery and porcelain. Samson established his factory in Paris in 1845, producing pieces inspired by and copied from the work of famous factories, including Meissen, Sèvres, Chelsea, Derby and all the major factories of England, France and Germany, as well as tin-glazed earthenware or faience. He claimed to mark all pieces with his own double 'S' mark as well as the mark of the original piece, but in many cases his own mark is missing. Le Malade Imaginaire was the last play written by Molière (Jean-Baptiste Poquelin,1622-1673), considered to be France's greatest dramatist. He wrote 27 plays, mostly satirising the foibles of everyday life and such apparently respectable figures as doctors, lawyers and priests. Molière wrote, directed and acted in his plays and, ironically, the role of Argan in Le Malade Imaginaire, a hypochondriac who felt sure he was dying, was Molière's last role. He suffered convulsions following its fourth performance and died that evening. |
| Associated objects |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.956-1996 |
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| Record created | April 6, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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