Ink, Reformation, and Revelation: Illustrated Books in Geneva's Tumultuous 16th Century

Welcome to "Really Calvin, is this an ideal life? A historical podcast." In today's episode explores the fascinating history of illustrated books in Geneva from 1478 to 1600, delving into how political and religious shifts shaped their creation. We'll divide our journey into three key periods: the early Catholic era, the strictly Calvinist period, and the intellectually curious post-Calvin era.

During Calvin's time, illustrated book production dwindled, reflecting his views on imagery. But after his death, illustrations made a comeback, especially in historical and scientific texts. We'll uncover how Genevan illustrations, while scarce, served a clear purpose, focusing on education and information rather than mere decoration.

Finally, we'll highlight the significant influence of printers and engravers from Lyon and Basel, revealing the interconnectedness of the printing world. Join us as we uncover the fascinating story of illustrated books in Geneva, exploring the complex relationship between religion, politics, and artistic expression during this transformative time.

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This historical popularization podcast is developed as part of the interdisciplinary project entitled "A semantic and multilingual online edition of the Registers of the Council of Geneva / 1545-1550" (RCnum) and developed by the University of Geneva (UNIGE), as part of funding from the Swiss National Scientific Research Fund (SNSF). For more information: https://www.unige.ch/registresconseilge/en.

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