Jules-Arsène GARNIER (Paris 1847 - 1889) The Third Book of Rabelais Original canvas (Cilarais Paris) Signed lower right "J. ars Garnier"; Numbered on the reverse of the stretcher "97". 38.5 x 46.5 cm Provenance : Sale of 160 paintings by the late Jules Garnier, composing the works of Rabelais, Paris, Hôtel Drouot (study Coutenceau, expert B.-Lasquin), 4-5 April 1898, no. 97. The subject of the painting, indicated by the text on the bronze cartel, is taken from the Third Book of François Rabelais published in 1542 (Pantagruel, book III, chapter 17). In the 1880s, the painter produced a series of one hundred and sixty paintings based on the work of Rabelais. The series was exhibited in London in 1890, where it caused a scandal. Albert Guillaume's poster "Exposition de l'œuvre de Rabelais par Garnier à la Splendide Taverne" (Exhibition of the works of Rabelais by Garnier at the Splendid Tavern), 1890, recalls the scandal caused by the presentation of these paintings.