Creating French Culture
Subtitle: Treasures from the Bibliotheque nationale de France
Contributors: Marie-Helene Tesniere (Editor); Prosser Gifford (Editor)
Publisher: Yale University Press
Published: November 29, 1995
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 520
ISBN-13: 9780300062830
Subjects: Cultural studies; History Of Art / Art & Design Styles; Libraries & information centres; Exhibition Catalogs; Art; Art & Art Instruction; Bibliographies & Indexes; Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - Museum; Reference / Bibliographies & Indexes; Popular Culture - General; Bibliography; Bibliotheque nationale (Franc; Bibliotháeque nationale (France); Civilization; Exhibitions; France; Manuscripts; Paris; Rare books
Description: From the monastic cloisters in the time of Charlemagne to the book-lined studies of twentieth-century authors, this splendid book presents an overview of the literary and artistic world in France. The Bibliotheque nationale de France, today rich in collections of illuminated manuscripts, books, medals, maps, and prints, had its beginnings when Charles V established his library in the Falconry Tower of the Louvre.

During the Middle Ages, culture was the handmaiden of church and government; during the absolute monarchy, it became an instrument of propaganda; in the eighteenth century, it developed an independent voice. This book explores the changing relationship between power and culture in France as seen in the history of its national library.