Historical and Commemorative
Medals
Collection of Benjamin Weiss
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ABBE JEAN PAUL BIGNON ST URBAIN, Ferdinand de: France, ca.1738, Bronze,
57 mm This medal has the same obverse as medal # 368 but has a different reverse. The Abbe Jean-Paul Bignon (1662-1743) was Royal Librarian at the Bibliotheque Nationale de France from 1718 to 1741 during the reign of Louis XIV. The Bibliotheque Nationale of France is one of the finest libraries in the world. It dates back to the reign of King John who bequeathed his royal library to his successor, Charles V in 1364. It was expanded by several monarchs, including Charles VI, Charles VIII, Louis XII, Francis I, Henry II, and Louis XIII, and was moved at various times over this period. However, a new era dawned during the reign of Louis XIV, when it was greatly expanded, necessitating another move to larger quarters. The departments of engraving and medals were added around 1666 and soon became important components of the collection. Under the guidance of the Abbe Bignon, the collection was moved to its present home in the Rue Richelieu. Toward the end of Louis XIV’s reign the library contained more than 70,000 volumes. Since then the library has expanded further, particularly during the reigns of Louis XVI and Napoleon, although much of the latter’s acquisitions had to be returned, as many manuscripts were plundered by him from conquered capitals. In 1696, the Abbe Bignon was put in charge of La Petite Academie by his uncle Pontchartrain. The Academie was established by Colbert in 1663 and was charged with the task of ensuring that all the arts were used in harmony to glorify King Louis XIV. Part of its duties was to supervise the engraving of a revised and extended series of medals devoted to the Sun King. This series was eventually published as "Medailles sur les Principaux Evenements du Regne de Louis le Grand". In 1701 Abbe Bignon became a member of the Royal Academy of Inscriptions and Medals, where he served as secretary from 1706 to 1742.
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