Description
Book SynopsisCultivated Power explores the collection, cultivation, and display of flowers in early modern France at the historical moment when flowering plants piqued the curiosity of European gardeners and botanists, merchants and ministers, and dukes and kings alike.
Trade Review"A rich tapestry of texts and citations from the period that will probably not be superseded for a long time to come." *
American Historical Review *
Table of ContentsCh. 1. Disorderly flowers
Floral seduction: death, sex, and flowers
Trading on the power of flowers
Ch. 2. Refashioning the culture of flowers in early modern France
Curiosity and flowers
The sweet society of the curious florists
Ch. 3. Cultivating the flower
The florists' flowers
Unlocking the door to the temple of flora
Ch. 4. Cultivating the man
The theater of the goddess of flowers
Nature into art
"Jardin d'Hyver," or flowers in print
Ch. 5. Cultivating the king
Royal precedents
Flowers in the garden of Louis XIV
Floral mercantilism
Flowers and the "Histoire du Roi"
Appendices
A. Extract of the inventory by . . . Sieur Cottereau of flowering plants and bulbs that he offers to furnish for the gardens of the royal households
B. Plants included in Jean Donneau de Vise's Histoire de Louis le Grand
