Libertine is the name given to certain political or social groups active in Europe in the 17th century. Libertinism was a form of freethinker philosophy, and was first derisively applied by John Calvin to a Dutch Anabaptist sect in the 16th century that rejected many of society's established mores, and advocated a community of goods and of women.

"Libertine" has come to mean one free from restraint, particularly from social and religious norms and morals. The philosophy gained new-found adherents in the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly in France and England. Notable among these were the Marquis de Sade and Aleister Crowley. In modern times, libertinism has been associated with Libertarianism (inaccurately), sado-masochism, nihilism, and free love.

Les Liaisons dangereuses (Dangerous Liaisons, 1782), an epistolary novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, is a trenchant description of sexual libertinism. Wayland Young argues that "…the mere analysis of libertinism… carried out by a novelist with such a prodigious command of his medium… was enough

Modern usage

The Libertine (La Matriarca) is a 1969 film. The Libertine is also the title of a 2005 film starring Johnny Depp. A 2000 film directed by Gabriel Aghion, Le Libertin, is a French version of these films with actresses Audrey Tautou and Vahina Giacante.

The Libertines were a British rock band.

"Libertine" is also a French song by Mylene Farmer. It is also performed by Kate Ryan.

"Libertine" is also a song by Utopia.

"The Libertine" is another song, not to be confused with the above. It is performed by Patrick Wolf.

Libertine is also the name of a fashion label.

References

• This article incorporates text from the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica, a publication in the public domain.

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