Gargantua: Chapter XXII - Les jeux 1942

Bernard Reder's "Gargantua: Chapter XXII - Les jeux" is a 1942 woodcut depicting a playful scene from the classic French novel "Gargantua and Pantagruel" by François Rabelais. The print features five figures engaging in a game of seesaw, their stylized forms and bold lines capturing the energy and spontaneity of the moment. Reder's distinctive use of black and white creates a striking contrast, highlighting the dynamic movement of the figures against the simplified background. This work exemplifies Reder's skill in translating literary narratives into visual form, offering a glimpse into the world of Rabelais's iconic characters.