The ninth tale in the first Decade of Balzac’s collection of bawdy tales contains snippets of the life of a worldly cleric which to my mind to not constitute a coherent whole.
Entitled The Curé of Azay-Le-Rideau by the Folio Society (featuring
an illustration by Mervyn Peake),
and by The Bodley Head featuring one by Jean de Bosschère;
and The Vicar of Azay-Le-Rideau by The Bibliophilist Society’s
edition featuring Gustave Dorés work.
Further details of each of these publications is given in https://derrickjknight.com/2023/01/06/droll-tales-1/
The plump, lewd looking cleric strikes my imagination as more plausible than the naked man with the ripped body. Fascinating series todate.
Absolutely. I am so pleased that you like the series, Pat. Thank you very much
In the Mervyn Peake illustration, even the donkey has a lascivious expression on his face.
Thanks very much, Liz. It is a good one
You’re welcome, Derrick.
I like the small illustration of the man silhouetted against the moon, just above the title, “The Vicar of Azay-le-Rideau”.
Thank you very much, John
Liz is right. 🙂
I love the moon shadows in the Gustave Dorés illustration.
Thank you so much, Merril
HA! The Mervyn Peake illustration makes me laugh! Looks like all 3 of them are havin’ a good good good time! 😀
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thank you so much, Carolyn X
I agree on the donkey’s expression. 🙂
Thanks very much, Lavinia
I love that donkey!!!!
Thank you very much, Diane
I miss bold drawings in books these days.
Thank you very much, Chrissy
You certainly find the most fascinating books and illustrations, Derrick.
Thank you very much, Robbie
Those illustrations are really interesting 😊
Thank you very much, Ribana