Creating French Culture: Treasures from the Bibliotheque nationale de France.
Emmanuel Le Roy Ladurie|Marie-Hélène Tesnière|Prosser Gifford
From monastic cloisters in the time of Charlemagne to book-lined studies 20th-century authors, this study presents an overview literary and artistic world France. The Bibliotheque nationale de France, rich collections illuminated manuscripts, books, medals, maps prints, had its beginnings when Charles V established his library falcon tower Louvre. During Middle Ages, culture was handmaiden church government; during absolute monarchy, it became instrument propaganda; 18th century developed independent voice. This book explores changing relationship between power France as seen history national library. Four American scholars - Peter Gay, Orest Ranum, Elizabeth A.R. Brown, John J. Contreni write about connection French cultural expression political from medieval modern times. experts Florence Callu, Antoine Coron, Emmanuel Le Roy Ladurie, Marie-Helene Tesniere discuss more than 200 objects library, almost all which are pictured book, exploring their historical significance Among these are: a 9th-century liturgical manuscript, entirely written gold silver on purple parchment; bronze throne Dagobert Napoleon sat at founding Order Legion d'Honneur; Marguerite d'Orleans's 15th-century hours with delicate borders; heart shaped map, published 1536, showing newly discovered lands America; sonata composed by Mozart he seven years old dedicated daughter Louis XV; symphony Berlioz for inauguration Bastille column; Zola's J'accuse!; more. serves catalogue major exhibition Library Congress that selection France's treasures. opened September 1995.
The Sixteenth century journal