Versailles: Science & Splendour – A Comprehensive Exploration

Not Just the Tudors Episode: Versailles: Science & Splendour
Release Date: February 13, 2025
Host: Professor Suzannah Lipscomb
Guest: Matthew Howes, Associate Curator

Introduction to the Exhibition

In this episode of Not Just the Tudors, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb delves into the intricate relationship between science and the grandeur of the Palace of Versailles. Visiting the Science Museum in South Kensington, London, she introduces listeners to the Versailles Science and Splendour exhibition, which uncovers the palace's significant role in 17th and 18th-century scientific advancements alongside its opulent facade.

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb [02:21]:
"The opulent halls of Versailles were not just filled with dazzlingly dressed courtiers and royal intrigue. They positively buzzed with scientific discovery and innovation."

The Royal Academy of Sciences

Matthew Howes elaborates on the establishment of the Royal Academy of Sciences, founded by Louis XIV with the support of Minister Jean Baptiste Colbert. Unlike its British counterpart, the Royal Society, the French Academy was heavily institutionalized, receiving state funding and aligning its scientific pursuits with national interests.

Matthew Howes [06:03]:
"The heavy institutionalization of science was very much about making sure science is allied to state interests."

The Academy focused on disciplines such as cartography, anatomy, and chemistry, playing a pivotal role in France's colonial expansion by solving practical problems like calculating longitude for accurate navigation.

Gardens and Scientific Principles

One of the exhibition's highlights is the meticulously designed gardens of Versailles, which embody scientific principles through their layout and construction. Matthew Howes discusses the role of landscape architect André Le Nôtre in transforming the gardens into a symbol of royal power, employing controlled perspectives and hydraulic engineering to create optical illusions and grand vistas.

Matthew Howes [07:44]:
"There's a lot of use of perspective, the use of controlled perspective to create really controlled sight lines and views."

The innovative waterworks and fountains, despite technical challenges like the inefficient Marly machine, demonstrate the era's ambitious engineering endeavors aimed at controlling nature to reflect the king's omnipotence.

The Menagerie and the Rhinoceros

A standout exhibit is Louis XV's actual rhinoceros, a diplomatic gift that resided in Versailles' menagerie for over two decades. This stuffed rhino served both as a symbol of royal prestige and a scientific specimen for naturalists like the Comte de Buffon.

Matthew Howes [12:26]:
"The rhino was studied during his lifetime at Versailles by the Comte de Buffon, who published an enormous multi-volume work about the natural history of animals."

The menagerie highlighted France's international connections and provided valuable biological insights, although the rhino's demise during the French Revolution underscores the tumultuous period's impact on royal collections.

Medical Innovations and Midwifery

The exhibition also showcases significant advancements in medicine, including the successful surgical operation performed on Louis XIV to treat an anal fistula without anesthesia—a groundbreaking achievement at the time.

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb [18:58]:
"This is a three-hour operation without anesthetic. Beggars belief, really."

Furthermore, Madame du Coudray's pioneering work in midwifery education is highlighted. Granted a royal warrant by Louis XV, she trained thousands of midwives across rural France, utilizing detailed obstetrical mannequins and accessible publications to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates.

Matthew Howes [20:04]:
"Madame du Coudray designed extraordinarily detailed obstetrical mannequins... and she also published a book alongside the mannequins."

Dissemination of Scientific Knowledge

The dissemination of scientific knowledge during this era is epitomized by the Encyclopédie, a multi-volume compendium supported by influential figures like Madame de Pompadour. Additionally, women such as Émilie du Châtelet played crucial roles in translating and interpreting scientific works, notably Isaac Newton's Principia, thereby making complex ideas more accessible.

Matthew Howes [29:19]:
"Émilie du Châtelet translates Isaac Newton's Principia into French for the first time... she also adds her own commentary."

These contributions underscore the collaborative nature of scientific advancement and the critical role women played in its propagation.

Royal Education and Science

Science was integral to the education of French royalty, with subjects like mathematics, astronomy, and chemistry being essential for strategic and administrative purposes. This education not only equipped royals with knowledge to govern effectively but also reinforced the status of science as a prestigious and fashionable pursuit among the aristocracy.

Matthew Howes [31:39]:
"Science was definitely seen as a fundamental part of royal education... there’s definitely a sort of fashionability about science at this time as well."

Cartography, Colonialism, and Power

Accurate cartography was vital for France's territorial management and colonial ambitions. The Cassini family of astronomers led efforts to create precise maps, reflecting the monarchy's desire to consolidate power and expand its influence both domestically and overseas.

Matthew Howes [33:07]:
"Cartography and mapping are hugely important in this period... having an accurate picture of the territory is really fundamental."

Scientific Devices and Spectacles

The marriage of aesthetics and scientific innovation is beautifully illustrated through artifacts like the elaborate timepiece commissioned for Marie Antoinette by watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet. This watch, laden with complications such as a calendar and thermometer, exemplifies the era's technological prowess and the monarchy's patronage of sophisticated craftsmanship.

Matthew Howes [34:34]:
"It's a really beautiful object to look at as well... a really nice example of the kinds of technical and artistic ambitions that were catalyzed by the royals."

Another remarkable spectacle was the first hot air balloon flight at Versailles in 1783, featuring animals like a rooster, duck, and sheep. This event not only demonstrated scientific curiosity but also reinforced France’s reputation as a leader in innovative endeavors.

Matthew Howes [37:38]:
"The first flight... is a really thrilling moment... it helps cement the innovation of hot air ballooning as a really French invention."

Conclusion

The Versailles Science and Splendour exhibition offers a multifaceted view of how Versailles was not only a center of political power and artistic grandeur but also a hub of scientific innovation. Through state-sponsored institutions, pioneering individuals, and the seamless integration of science into daily and royal life, Versailles exemplified the Enlightenment's ideals, demonstrating the profound interconnectedness of knowledge, power, and prestige.

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb [38:34]:
"It's been a really fascinating exhibition to look around and it's wonderful to talk with you and get the sort of deep background knowledge about everything that was going on at this period of time."

This episode provides an insightful exploration of Versailles' unique position at the crossroads of science and splendor, revealing how scientific advancements were both a reflection and a reinforcement of royal power during a transformative period in French history.