"I do not agree with a word that you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." -Voltaire (1694-1778)
Between the 15th-18th centuries, Government and Church authorities felt that they had a sacred duty to defend the old order. They believed the old order had been set up by god. To protect against the attacks of the Renaissance, Reformation, Scientific Revolution and eventually the Enlightenment, they waged a war of censorship, banning and burning books and imprisoning writers. Some writers avoided the censors by having their books printed in the few countries, like the Netherlands, that allowed freedom of the press. Others published their books under a false name.
The new literature, art, science and philosophy that emerged during this period were regular topics of discussion in salons, or informal gatherings at which writers, artists, philosophers, and others exchanged ideas.
Eventually, by the 1700s, some middle-class women began holding salons. In the drawing rooms of these salonieres (sah lohn YAIR), middle-class citizens could meet with the nobility on an equal footing to discuss and spread new ideas.
By 1750, Madame Geoffrin was a leading saloniere. In her home (pictured above) in Paris, she brought together the brightest and most talented people of her day. On Mondays, Geoffrin welcomed artists and musicians. The young musical genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart played for her guests. On Wednesdays, philosophers and poets came for discussion and dispute. Even visiting monarchs paid their respects.
Salonieres like Madame Geoffrin were often not well educated themselves. They set up salons to learn from the conversations of educated men. The salonieres were not intimidated by such men, however. While remaining gracious, they demanded high standards of discussion. Diderot (writer of 28 volume Encyclopedia) commented:
"Women accustom us to discuss with charm and clearness the driest and thorniest subjects... Hence we develop a particular method of explaining ourselves easily, and this method passes from conversation to style."
By the end of the 1700s, the influence of women's salons had ended. Later, looking back, the celebrated court painter Elisabeth Vigee Lebrun observed: "Women ruled then."
So play that background music (if it helps), and let's begin our 21st century salon!