The science book represented a basic pillar for the construction of a culture of science in the Republic of the arts. The lecture covers a period of just over 100 years: it begins in 1638, with the publication, in Leiden, of the Discorsi e dimostrazioni matematiche intorno a due nuove scienze, the last work produced by Galileo Galilei (1564-1642), and closes with the publishing of the first instalments of l’Encyclopédie, in Paris in 1751, edited by Denis Diderot (1713-1784) and Jean d’Alembert (1717-1783).
The general panorama that the lecture describes helps to situate the various practices that developed around the science book: from writing styles and ways of reading to methods of production, channels of circulation (purchase, loan, exchange or gift) and different types of enjoyment. And let us not forget the role played by the emotions: from the collector's obsession with his possession to the solitary or shared emotion produced by contemplating images. And of course, the creation of new readerships for works of science, encouraged by passionate discussions about books in literary gatherings, sitting rooms and back rooms in pharmacies.
Organized by: CSIC Publications Department, the CSIC Delegation in Catalonia and the Residence for Researchers CSIC-Generalitat of Catalonia
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