Reseña de Choise

Homer understood that artisans' work had deadly consequences: "And the crippled Smith brought all his art to bear on a dancing circle, broad as the circle Daedalus once laid out..." (Iliad). Historian Bertucci (Yale) constructs a tour de force about "artistes" (artisans with esprit) who worked to elevate their status, promote their epistemological methods, and assume official power in 18th-century France. The author draws heavily from archives. Her focus is 1666 to 1751: from the founding of the Académie Royal des Science to the initial publication of Diderot's Encyclopédie. The thematic/chronological structure highlights encyclopedic mechanical arts projects; chapters examine savants, artistes, and the artiste-directed Sociétés des Arts. Bertucci describes how artistes used writing, notable artifacts, and teaching to champion their superior practical knowledge, commitment to improvement, and unique ability to advance state/public interests. She argues that Enlightenment ideals of improvement, progress, and useful knowledge emerged from ubiquitous artistes whose world created an "artisanal enlightenment." Alas, the Encyclopédie privileged philosophy; Clio forgot the significance of ambitious and widely distrusted men. But Achilles's shield and Daedalus's wings conveyed immortal fame. Artistes and their enlightenment have their deserved recognition in Bertucci's excellent study, with its superb illustrations. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above; professionals. --Lorraine A. Rollo, Millersville University, formerly