Featherwork and Artisanal Enlightenment Workshop with Paola Bertucci

'Artisanal enlightenments: feathers, flowers, and craft knowledge in early modern France'

This afternoon workshop will integrate practical investigation of the craft of feather-flower making within a wider historiographical discussion of European craft, science, and philosophy during the Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment. We will be joined by Professor Paola Bertucci (Yale) to explore her concept of 'artisanal enlightenments', in which artisans led the way in producing useful knowledge in early modern France, thereby carving out a new identity as artistes. Following Professor Bertucci's lecture, participants will work with ostrich feathers under the expert supervision of Marie Colas des Francs, a doctoral student (INHA) who is also a trained feather-worker. Marie will discuss the evolution of feather hair accessories across the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and her experience of recreating feather-working techniques from historic texts and images. The day will conclude with a discussion between Zara Kesterton (Cambridge) and professional flower-maker Cyrielle Bonan (Lycée Octave Feuillet) about mediating between archival sources and embodied knowledge in the study of eighteenth-century flower-making.

The workshop will include:

2–3pm: Lecture by Professor Paola Bertucci (Yale)

3–4.30pm: Flower-making workshop with Marie Colas des Francs (INHA)

4.30–4.45pm: Comfort break

4.45–5.30pm: Roundtable with Zara Kesterton (Cambridge) and Cyrielle Bonan (Lycée Octave Feuillet)

5:30–6pm: Drinks reception

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