Almanach royal, année bissextile M.DCC.LXXXVIII, présenté a sa Majeste pour la premiere fois en 1699 1787

Editor: Here we have Laurent Charles d' Houry's "Almanach royal," dating back to 1787. It's crafted from drawings and gilding, a neat mix of artistry. Something about the redness and that intricate gold detailing screams royalty…but maybe also screams, “Handle with white gloves only!" What grabs your attention about this piece? Curator: Ah, yes! It’s interesting to think of a book, essentially, as a canvas. To me, it whispers tales of opulence and the dying embers of French aristocracy. Before the storm, so to speak. This isn't just any old almanac; it’s a carefully constructed object intended to reflect power. Editor: It looks rather well-preserved for something from the late 1700s, all that gold hasn't faded. What's with the clover emblems? Do you think it held any symbolic weight? Curator: Absolutely! Consider this: gold leafing wasn’t merely decorative. Think about how it catches the light, a symbolic gesture toward enlightenment, perhaps. Now those clovers...a coat of arms. Symbols held immense meaning then; markers of identity and allegiance. Imagine holding this, feeling that weight of history, that deliberate crafting of identity. Did the artist consider who will touch it, who it speaks to? How it feels to possess power, history itself? It makes you wonder. Editor: So it's not *just* a book but also a really fancy historical status symbol? Curator: Exactly. In a way, it’s less about the knowledge held within its pages, but a statement. Power solidified in gold and paper, reflecting its owner’s image back at them and projecting that image outward, into the world. Editor: I see the shift in perspective now! What a fascinating intersection of craft, history, and good old-fashioned power moves. Thanks for sharing your view! Curator: My pleasure. It’s wonderful when a seemingly small object opens up such vast avenues of thought!