This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
Fluse
Festungs-Geniedirektion

Glossary entry

German term or phrase:

Gil

English translation:

Gil / Gil Blas

Added to glossary by Helen Shiner
Mar 15, 2011 15:37
13 yrs ago
German term

Gil

German to English Art/Literary Art, Arts & Crafts, Painting Meißen porcelain
From an auction catalogue listing various lots of Meißen porcelain, in this case a 'Tasse mit Harlekin und Untertasse'

The description runs: Porzellan, Wandung mit passigem Goldrand, Alt-Ozierrelief, bunt gemalten Blütenzweigen sowie Parklandschaft, gestikulierendem Harlekin, Gil und Dame, Untertasse mit tanzendem Watteaupaar

No further mention of this 'Gil'. I have searched high and low for this term, but it isn't an easy one to trace. The Grimm Wörterbuch doesn't help, for instance. Another thought was this might be another character/mask from the Commedia dell'arte, but I haven't been able to find the ENG equivalent, if it is, nor any confirmation that there is/was a character with that name.

Any bright ideas gratefully received.
Proposed translations (English)
3 +4 Gil Blas
Change log

Mar 17, 2011 00:00: Helen Shiner Created KOG entry

Discussion

Helen Shiner (asker) Mar 16, 2011:
Thanks, Diana I'd better make sure that's always the case then now, hadn't I?!
British Diana Mar 16, 2011:
endorsement of Phil's first remark at 16.52 yesterday.
And you "know" it'll be well worth tackling...
Helen Shiner (asker) Mar 15, 2011:
@ Nicola That remembered reference is years old and I didn't make the link to Gil Blas anyway. So a massive help from you.
Nicola Wood Mar 15, 2011:
Not a great deal of help then! But there are plenty of references to Gil Blas and various actors who have plyed the character. For some strange reason, probably the unusual name, it just stuck in my head. Occasionally my obscure choices in my long past universtiy studies come in handy!
Helen Shiner (asker) Mar 15, 2011:
Periodical This is what I have come across in my art historical researches in the past: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gil_Blas_(periodical)
Helen Shiner (asker) Mar 15, 2011:
@ Nicola It rings a bell with me, too, now you mention it, but I wouldn't have got there without your 'luck'. I'm sure he crops up somewhere in painting/graphic arts, too, just on edge of my memory. Thanks for saving me further hours of research.
Nicola Wood Mar 15, 2011:
@ Helen Thanks, but I was just lucky it happened to ring a bell.
Helen Shiner (asker) Mar 15, 2011:
@ Phil Thanks, I do try!! Auction house has not published pic yet and since lots can be withdrawn, I generally have to do this sight unseen!
Helen Shiner (asker) Mar 15, 2011:
@ Nicola Spot on I think. This presumably is the character Gil Blas. Completely appropriate to the period. Please post and Kudoz to you.
philgoddard Mar 15, 2011:
And presumably you've asked the customer if they have a picture?
philgoddard Mar 15, 2011:
This may be way off track, but could it be a typo for Girl? Doesn't Girl in German mean serving maid, which is what Columbine is?
Either way, if Helen Shiner asks a question, you *know* it's going to be difficult and she's left no stone unturned before posting it :-)
Nicola Wood Mar 15, 2011:
I don't know whether this is relevant or not, but there is a comic pantomine called Harlequin Gil Blas or the Boy of Santillane. http://www.elta-project.org/browse.html?recordId=3122

Proposed translations

+4
22 mins
Selected

Gil Blas

Gil Blas character from a French Picaresque novel by Lesage

Also comic pantomine Harlequin Gil Blas
Reference:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gil_Blas

http://www.elta-project.org/browse.html?recordId=3122

Peer comment(s):
agree Thayenga
2 hrs
Thanks, Thayenga
agree hazmatgerman (X) : Most splendid.
3 hrs
Thanks Hazmatgerman
agree British Diana : Yes, I had heard of Gil Blas, too (without knowing who he was)
17 hrs
Thanks
agree Dr Lofthouse
1 day 3 hrs
Thank you
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "A million thanks for your inspiration!"
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search