Orientalism in Early Modern France

Download or read book Orientalism in Early Modern France written by Ina Baghdiantz McCabe and published by Berg. This book was released on 2008-07-15 with total page 416 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Francis I's ties with the Ottoman Empire marked the birth of court-sponsored Orientalism in France. Under Louis XIV, French society was transformed by cross-cultural contacts with the Ottomans, India, Persia, China, Siam and the Americas. The consumption of silk, cotton cloth, spices, coffee, tea, china, gems, flowers and other luxury goods transformed daily life and gave rise to a new discourse about the 'Orient' which in turn shaped ideas about economy and politics, specifically absolutism and the monarchy. An original account of the ancient regime, this book highlights France's use of the exotic and analyzes French discourse about Islam and the 'Orient'.