Clerics, Connoisseurs and Collectors

Luxembourg’s Libraries from the 16th to the 19th Century

This exhibition is a true journey through time, offering a glimpse into Luxembourg’s library landscape from the 16th to the 19th century. It explores the history of books from a fresh perspective through centrepieces from the special collections of the National Library (BnL).

The exhibition highlights the diversity of historical libraries, ranging from monastic and ecclesiastical collections to the private libraries of individuals such as Pierre Roberti (*c. 1566–†1636) or Peter Ernst von Mansfeld (*1517–†1604). It also sheds light on the influence of notable figures like Jean-Baptiste Halle (*1748–†1824) and Dominik Konstantin München (*1763–†1818), whose contributions shaped the history of books in the country.

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Particular attention is paid to printed books, which often take a back seat to manuscripts, which are considered more impressive. Various aspects relating to the material object are examined: the authors, the topics covered, the dedicatees, the social groups who read the book, the traces of use or the provenance. These details testify to the value and significance of these precious volumes.

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The exhibition is in French.