Civilisation 10: The Smile of Reason: 2

  

Here Clark discusses art and culture, and role of the amateur in England and France. In the 17th and 18th Century we begin to see the development of public sphere. In 18th Century France  we see the emergence of the salon, which were for forty years the centres of European civilisation.  The salon was the place to converse away from the stifling culture of the royal court. The salon was a success largely because the French government was situated in Versailles.  These salons were held by key figures such as Madame du Deffand, Madame de Sorquainville and Madame Geoffrin.