400th ANNIVERSARY OF MOLIÈRE  

Actor, troupe leader, author and director, Jean-Baptiste Poquelin (1622-1673), known as Molière, is the complete man of the theater par excellence. He exploited the whole gamut of comedic effects and created characters with complex psychology who quickly became archetypes. He distinguished himself by both comic and critical pieces, making laughter a weapon to combat the mores and constraints of his time, arousing resounding controversies and lasting hostility from devout circles. Molière's work constitutes one of the pillars of literary education in France and remains one of the references of universal literature.

• Design and line-engraving: Yves BEAUJARD
• Printing process: 3 colours steel-engraving
• Size of the stamp: 40,85 x 52 mm vertical
• Quantity of issue: 36 000 stamps
• Sheet of 6 stamps with illuminations