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Illustration from 'The Humorous Dreams of Pantagruel' by Francois Desprez, published 1565

Desprez, Francois (16th century); French. Medium: woodcut. Date: 1565. Desprez falsely claimed that his series of 120 fantastical woodcuts were part of the series of novels about the giants Gargantua and Pantagruel by the Renaissance humanist Francois Rabelais (1494-1553), probably in the hope of exploiting Rabelais' huge popularity following his death; In this illustration a hooded figure in ecclesiastical robes, like a Spanish penitent, holds a jug of wine and a small branch while grass grows from the top of his head; The artist Salvador Dali made a series of prints based upon these figures; Les Songes Drolatiques de Pantagruel ou sont contenues plusieurs figures de l'invention de maistre Francois Rabelais; Provenance: Private Collection. Photographic Rights The Bridgeman Art Library.