Casanova - The passion for freedom

from November 15, 2011 to February 19, 2012 François-Mitterrand / Large gallery

Exhibitions will be opened from 10.00am to 4.00pm on Saturday 24 December and Saturday 31 December 2011.

On February 2010, the BnF acquired the manuscript of the “Histoire de ma vie”, written in French by Giacomo Casanova (who was born in Venice in 1725 and who died in Dux – Bohemia, in 1798).
To celebrate this event, a major exhibition is devoted to this amazing character and writer. In the collective imagination, the name Casanova has often been linked with the term “womanizer” or “Don Juan”. History made Casanova a legend; however, the character was created by Casanova himself as he was both a talented performer and a gifted narrator. Disclosing his powerful writing, the exhibition offers visitors the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the amazing pleasure seeker who always made a point of preserving his independence and never sacrificed it for a woman, a cause or a taste for possession. He always was a tireless traveller. Casanova greeted all types of encounters and travelled the world from Venice to Madrid and Moscow; he embodied the contrasting aspects of his time, between darkness and light. The exhibition has been organised in ten sections, on the pattern of the ten books of the manuscript and celebrates the sensual, bold and baroque universe of Casanova. The exhibition designed by Massimo Quendolo presents 250 outstanding items – manuscripts, prints, paintings, sculptures, objects, fabrics, films and music recordings – that convey the tremendous vital force that was Casanova’s.

Guided tours

Tours for individuals and groups

Information and registration at 00 33 (1) 53 79 49 49 or visites@bnf.fr

Educational activities

• Worshops: Writing or telling one's life story | Travelling in Europe in the 18th century
• Guided tours for teachers and students at secondary school
• Educational files can be downloaded online at http://classes.bnf.fr/.