The Medecine Faculty doesn't have only one museum worth visiting. It also possesses some works interesting for children and people allergic to anatomy. Some historical and artistical treasures, no less.
Books, for example.
Imagine an happy librarian. Big happy eyes, big happy smile, or at least something of a huge child's joy errupting from behind the mask (what an angry face on the official portraits!). His gourmandise - not gluttony, but omnisensual delight - and paternal pride. I imagine and envy.
The name of this necessarily happy man was Gabriel Prunelle. Born in 1777, son of a physician, he studied medecine in Montpellier between 1794 and 1799. In 1800 he went to Paris to be an army surgeon. He also became a librarian and was in charge of the inspection of the libraries and books deposits... The rest of his life remains passionnating (he went back to Montpellier to teach medecine, but was dismissed for bonapartism, married a rich heiress, was mayor and deputy of Lyon in a politically dense period.
When Napoleon re-created the faculties, Gabriel was charged to find books for the library of the the school of Medecine of Montpellier. He chosed the best. Medieval manuscripts wonderfully illuminated and/or glossed, perfectly preserved. Famous signatures. Historical, artistical and scientifical highest value.
Some books concern medecine, but many don't and deal with Law, music, religion, etc. One of them, well-known (by reputation), is the "psalter of Charlemagne". Written around 772-795.
Those books are treasures. The people can be reluctant to show them and frustrated or sorry for mankind when they see people walking without giving a look. Being able to enjoy the beauty of these works is a talent and a gift.
There are books on this all, and very beautiful reproductions on postcards if your interest or french level are moderate.
The Musée Atger might be the oldest museum in Montpellier, and the second collection in France after the collection of the Louvre Museum, with about 1000 drawings and 500 prints.
Xavier Atger (1758-1833) collected drawings produced since the Renaissance by the french, italian, flemish, german and dutch schools, and he donated them to tthe library of the Medecine Faculty.
Amongst the artists (open wide your eyes): Charles Natoire, Rubens, Giambattista Tiepolo, Bourdon, Jean-François de Troy, Jean-Honoré Fragonard, Hyacinthe Rigaud, Joseph-Marie Vien, Vigée-Lebrun, Paul Véronèse, Tintoret, Titien, Le Dominiquin, Le Guerchin, Valerio Castello, Jacob Jordaens, Antoine van Dyck.
A few more photographies to complete the visit... The library bought new tables and chairs to replace the noisy dark old ones, but kept its essential attributes: shelves of ancient books, a catalogue in keyboards from the pre-numerisation Age...
Modernity and fashion don't give prestige. History does - together with a lasting quality and success...
No comments:
Post a Comment