The Encyclopédie

The aim of the Encyclopédie was to get together all bachelor knowledge, to examine it critically and rationally, and to utilize it for social advocacy. The subtitle, translated from French to English, reads 'A Systematic Lexicon of the Sciences, Arts, and Crafts'.

Research, production and publication took over forty years. By 1772, when the final book appeared, at that place were 17 huge volumes of text and 11 volumes of illustrations. Topics ranged from Absolute Monarchy and Beekeeping to Intolerance, Pin Making and Zanzibar.

(Left) Title page from Encyclopédie, ou Dictionnaire raisonnée des sciences, des arts, et des métiers...; Vol.XIII, published by chez Briasson, printed by le Breton, 1751 - 65, France (Paris). Museum no. NAL.38041800785941. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London (Right) Frontispiece from Encyclopédie, ou Dictionnaire raisonnée des sciences, des arts, et des métiers...; Vol.13, published by chez Briasson, printed past le Breton, 1751-65, France (Paris). Museum no. NAL. 38041800785941. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

The trades plates

Most of the illustrations show crafts and manufacturing processes. The Encyclopédie aimed to bear witness that modern culture depended on the skills and labour of the people who fabricated 'all the necessary things of life'. The editors claimed to have visited workshops, to ensure that the information was as authentic as possible. The illustrators certainly had to work from actual examples.

The illustrations are deliberately idealised. Work is shown to be at-home, ordered and dignified, non cluttered, noisy and dangerous, as it often was in reality.

(Left) Plate I - Tailleur, d`Habits, Outils, from Encyclopédie, ou Dictionnaire raisonnée des sciences, des arts, et des métiers...; Vol.9, published by chez Briasson, printed past le Breton, 1751-65, French republic (Paris). Museum no. NAL. 38041008210395. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London (Right) Plate 2 - Art d`Ecrir, from Encyclopédie, ou Dictionnaire raisonnée des sciences, des arts, et des métiers...; Vol.iii, published by chez Briasson, printed by le Breton, 1751-65, France (Paris). Museum no. NAL. 38041800786170. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Showtime steps

The project started in 1745 as a straightforward proposal to translate a contempo English language lexicon compiled past Ephraim Chambers. Reference books were very popular in the 18th century, both fuelling and reflecting the expansion of cognition at this catamenia.

The French bookseller Le Breton, who commissioned the translation, was confident of a healthy turn a profit from his investment.

Bigger ambitions

As work began, it was agreed that the telescopic of the English 2-volume lexicon should be widened to include recent advances in science, technology, travel and the arts. From beingness a unproblematic translation, the projection became a massive undertaking.

In 1747, a mathematician called Jean Le Rond d'Alembert and a brilliant but little-known writer called Denis Diderot were recruited as editors. Merely they had their own agenda. Their goal was to use knowledge and reason to challenge the orthodoxy of the Cosmic Church and the potency of the land.

A lifetime'south piece of work

The majority of the work fell to Denis Diderot. As sole editor from 1757, he recruited over 140 contributors as well as writing, or rewriting, many of the manufactures himself. He also briefed the illustrators, liaised with printers and publishers, and negotiated with the authorities.

In doing so, Diderot devoted his whole life to the project. He did this in the belief that noesis would brand people happier and more than virtuous. His novels and other literary works were published merely later his death.

The contributors

Contributors to the Encyclopédie ranged from wealthy amateurs to respected scholars. They included some of the virtually famous names of 18th-century Europe. Jean-Jacques Rousseau supplied an article on Political Economy and many others on music.

Voltaire wrote on History, Fornication and Taste. 1 of the lesser known, but most productive, authors was Chevalier Louis de Jaucourt. With the help of secretaries, he supplied 17,266 articles out of the total of 71,818.

Diderot in problem

The French government and the Catholic Church viewed Diderot equally a dangerous subversive. In 1749 he was imprisoned in the Château de Vincennes on the grounds that he had written a volume that showed him to be an atheist.

Diderot faced the alarming prospect of being held indefinitely, without trial, and unable to piece of work. Friends and publishers lobbied to save the Encyclopédie and get him released. Eventually Diderot was let out, but only with a promise to keep his opinions to himself.

Censorship

Print, The Parisians attacking the Château of Vincennes, 28 February 1791, Renier Vinkeles and Daniel Vrijdag. Museum no. E.293-1953. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

The first volume of the Encyclopédie appeared in 1751, and the second the following year. The Archbishop of Paris quickly identified passages that questioned the literal truth of the Bible. Lamoignon de Malesherbes, in charge of policing the book merchandise, put a cease to the publication.

After a while, work did resume but only on condition that all the manufactures relating to religion and other contentious matters would exist checked by censors.

Friends in high places

Although the Encyclopédie had many enemies, information technology also had well connected supporters. Madame de Pompadour, the rex'south mistress, had put in a skillful word for the projection. Malesherbes, whose job was to censor the publication, really saved it past warning Diderot of an impending law raid.

Portrait of Madame de Pompadour, François Boucher, 1758, France (Paris), oil on canvass. Museum no. 487-1882. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Somewhen, the French regime allowed the publication of the plates volumes. The Encyclopédie now had effectually 3500 subscribers: it was too important, both intellectually and commercially, to collapse.

Press and publishing

The volumes with illustrations could exist published without difficulty. The text volumes were more than problematic. They were probably printed in Paris but from Volume eight onwards, the title pages give Neufchâtel in Switzerland equally the place of publication. This was a convenient fiction, since books published outside France were not subject area to censorship.

As well every bit the threat of censorship, at that place were the practical challenges of editing, setting, correcting and printing a piece of work of this size.

(Left) Plate I - Imprimerie en Lettres, L`Opération de la Casse, Ustensils et Outils, from Encyclopédie, ou Dictionnaire raisonnée des sciences, des arts, et des métiers...; Vol.7, published by chez Briasson, printed by le Breton, 1751-65, French republic (Paris). Museum no. NAL. 38041800786204. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London (Right) Plate I - Relieu, from Encyclopédie, ou Dictionnaire raisonnée des sciences, des arts, et des métiers...; Vol.8, published by chez Briasson, printed by le Breton, 1751-65, France (Paris). Museum no. NAL. 38041800786311. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Success and impact

The last volume appeared in 1772 and Diderot died 8 years later. As well equally the large, expensive folio edition, at that place were also smaller, cheaper editions, all of them the offspring of Diderot'due south great piece of work.

These reached every corner of Europe and every bit far every bit America. Readers included scholars, intellectuals and professionals. Many of these people played a leading role in the political events that followed later in the century.

Background image: Writing cabinet (detail), probably by Michael Kimmel, 1750 – 55, Dresden, Germany. Museum no. W.63-1977. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Europe 1600 – 1815

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