The 16th century in France saw big changes in intellectual life, culture, religion, and politics, for both women and men. Italian influences brought new ideas in humanism, arts, architecture, and literature. Like men, women writers and thinkers began to explore ideas about the dignity and potential of the individual, reflecting the influence of humanism. At
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When I started Passion for Compasses, I did not expect to discover a medieval eyeopener. Although the subtitle–Medieval Master Builders and their Cathedral Building Plans–intrigued me, I thought I would learn a bit about how medieval architects built the great gothic cathedrals without understanding any of the technicalities. I picked it up from Book Sirens
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Claude de France’s prayer book is an example of the exquisite manuscript art of the French Renaissance. This example demonstrates that Anne of Brittany passed on her passion for religion, beauty and books to her daughter Claude. Queen Anne, Duchess of Brittany bore her elder daughter, Claude de France, in October 1499, 10 months after
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Queen Anne’s Library and Books of Hours Queen Anne’s library, duchess of Brittany, included several Books of Hours. France considers her Great Hours one of its national treasures. Master Jean Bourdichon, who painted it was one of the great painters of the early French Renaissance. Anne’s library is a famous collection. Some she inherited from her
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