Médaille Société des antiquaires du centre

Reverse

Symmetrical engraving on 2 axes, surrounded by inscriptions and a saucer at noon.

Script: Latin

Lettering: ∙FONDEE∙A∙BOVRGES∙EN∙MDCCCLXVII∙

Unabridged legend: Fondée à Bourges en 1867

Edge

Plain

Comment

Rarity R1

ACADEMIES AND SOCIÉTÉS SAVANTESIn the17th and 18th centuries, academies and learned societies contributed to the influence of science, art and literature throughout France and abroad. They helped disseminate knowledge, and later the ideas of the Enlightenment, and included among their ranks the most influential figures in their fields, responsible, among other things, for training future creators and scholars. In the provinces, they are essential elements of social and cultural life. They bring together the "great" and "beautiful" minds (men of letters, artists and scientists), and are endowed with official institutions (legal and material structures) that ensure their permanence, stability and legitimacy. They are established by letters patent from the King, and most often placed under his protection. One example is the Académie des Sciences, Belles-Lettres et Arts de Rouen, created in June 1744 by letters patent from Louis XV. Prior to this, there had already been meetings of botanical enthusiasts who formed an unofficial academy. Two men actively worked for the official recognition of this academy: Fontenelle, patron of the Académie, and Le Cornier de Cideville, fellow student and friend of Voltaire. Many of the Academy's members are famous: Chardin, Pigalle, Parmentier, Necker, Victor Hugo and Abbé Cochet. Further reading: BARRIERE P., "L'Académie de Bordeaux, center de la culture internationale au XVIIIème siècle (1712-1792)", Bordeaux, 1951; COUSIN J., "L'Académie des sciences, belles-lettres et arts de Besançon" (1752-1952), Besançon, 1954; TAILLEFER M., "Une académie interprète des Lumières. L'Académie des sciences, inscriptions et belles-lettres de Toulouse au XVIIIème siècle", Paris, 1984.

Source: CGB