Gherardi - Le Théâtre Italien - 1700

With Italian Theatre, Gherardi opens the doors to a performance full of liveliness, wit, and laughter. Inspired by commedia dell’arte, these plays feature colorful characters — clever servants, ridiculous masters, clumsy lovers — in fast-paced situations full of twists. The language is lively, the dialogues sharp, and humor omnipresent. This theatre entertains while mocking human flaws, offering a form of entertainment that is as intelligent as it is energetic.

Evaristo Gherardi was a theatre man from the late 17th century, passionate about the stage and comedy. Actor and playwright, he played a key role in spreading Italian theatre in France. By collecting and adapting these plays, he helped to introduce an art of performance based on movement, improvisation, and comedy. His work marks the history of theatre by bringing freshness, freedom, and imagination to the French audience.



GHERARDI Evaristo THE ITALIAN THEATRE or Collection of all the French scenes performed at the Italian theatre of the Hôtel de Bourgogne.

Paris, 1700.

1 hardcover volume, illustrated with a frontispiece and 3 folding plates.

Decorative full brown calf binding from the period. Ornamented spine with raised bands. Title and volume labels. Scuffs and minor losses on the boards. All edges red. Interior well preserved. Scattered browning.

Nice example!