By convention, the likely end of the career of an eighteenth-century actress was marriage, the convent or the gutter. Jeanne Quinault used her talents to shape a most unconventional life. Despite her provincial origins, she was a favourite for over twenty years at the Comédie-Française and also carved an identity for herself in literary and salon life.
Jeanne Quinault's role as organizer of the société badine, called the Bout-du-Banc, is what has attracted the most interest, but historians have not generally recognized in her a salonnière as devoted to benevolence and mentorship as her wealthier and better-born contemporaries. From the time of her depiction in the pseudo-memoirs of Mme d'Épinay, the story has been distorted and errors have been handed down. This study offers a fresh assessment of her friendships with Caylus, Piron, Duclos, Maurepas and many other prominent individuals.
In the theatrical sphere, Mlle Quinault promoted the development of sentimental comedy, sponsored both authors and actors, and participated in the creation of a number of works, including those of Françoise de Graffigny. Another client was Voltaire, whose letters shed light on the interplay between writers and performers. On a broader scale, the story of Jeanne Quinault is also that of the large acting family to which she belonged and of their aspiration to acceptance in polite society.
Drawing on archival resources and unpublished collections of letters, this work offers readers the first detailed study of the actress and her circle.
| ISBN: | 9780729409117 |
| Publication date: | 1st August 2007 |
| Author: | Judith Curtis |
| Publisher: | Voltaire Foundation |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Pagination: | 242 pages |
| Series: | Oxford University Studies in the Enlightenment |
| Genres: |
Literature: history and criticism Western philosophy: Enlightenment Diaries, letters and journals European history |
By convention, the likely end of the career of an eighteenth-century actress was marriage, the convent or the gutter. Jeanne Quinault used her talents to shape a most unconventional life. Despite her provincial origins, she was a favourite for over twenty years at the Comédie-Française and also carved an identity for herself in literary and salon life.
Jeanne Quinault's role as organizer of the société badine, called the Bout-du-Banc, is what has attracted the most interest, but historians have not generally recognized in her a salonnière as devoted to benevolence and mentorship as her wealthier and better-born contemporaries. From the time of her depiction in the pseudo-memoirs of Mme d'Épinay, the story has been distorted and errors have been handed down. This study offers a fresh assessment of her friendships with Caylus, Piron, Duclos, Maurepas and many other prominent individuals.
In the theatrical sphere, Mlle Quinault promoted the development of sentimental comedy, sponsored both authors and actors, and participated in the creation of a number of works, including those of Françoise de Graffigny. Another client was Voltaire, whose letters shed light on the interplay between writers and performers. On a broader scale, the story of Jeanne Quinault is also that of the large acting family to which she belonged and of their aspiration to acceptance in polite society.
Drawing on archival resources and unpublished collections of letters, this work offers readers the first detailed study of the actress and her circle.
Divine Thalie features in the following genres: Literature: history and criticism, Western philosophy: Enlightenment, Diaries, letters and journals, European history
Divine Thalie is available in Paperback
Divine Thalie was written by Judith Curtis and published by Voltaire Foundation
Divine Thalie has 242 pages
Yes it is part of Oxford University Studies in the Enlightenment series