Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online

Get access

Bel esprit
(1,187 words)

1. Conceptualization

The concept of the bel esprit (German Schöngeist), which was developed in France in the 16th and 17th centuries, established itself as a powerfully effective social model promoting a specific ideal of cultured sociability. The bel esprit distinguished itself by extensive knowledge of all kinds of art and literature and in particular by a capacity for intellectually stimulating conversation as well as an i…

Cite this page
Eckert, Georg, “Bel esprit”, in: Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online, Editors of the English edition: Graeme Dunphy, Andrew Gow. Original German Edition: Enzyklopädie der Neuzeit. Im Auftrag des Kulturwissenschaftlichen Instituts (Essen) und in Verbindung mit den Fachherausgebern herausgegeben von Friedrich Jaeger. Copyright © J.B. Metzlersche Verlagsbuchhandlung und Carl Ernst Poeschel Verlag GmbH 2005–2012. Consulted online on 19 March 2024 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2352-0272_emho_COM_027174>
First published online: 2015
First print edition: 20160907



▲   Back to top   ▲