Georges Duby, a renowned historian born in Paris, France on October 7, 1919, was an expert in the field of medieval history. His work focused on various aspects such as agrarian history and artistic-cultural history, exploring these themes from a sociological perspective. After completing his studies in Letters, he went on to become a professor of medieval history at the University of Besançon and later held the prestigious position of Professor of Social History of the Middle Ages at the Collège de France. Throughout his career, Duby established himself as a valuable reference in his field, captivating readers with his deep knowledge and unique perspective on historical events.
Duby, an influential figure within the New History movement, can be attributed to the groundbreaking historiographic revolution led by Marc Bloch and Lucien Febvre. His primary focus entailed examining the mental attitudes of individuals within a specific historical period, while also taking into account economic, demographic, and social factors. Duby’s scholarly contributions include notable essays such as “La société aux XIe et XIIe siècles dans la région mâconnaise” (1954) and “Rural economy and country life in the medieval West” (1962). Through these works, Duby delineated the distinctive characteristics of European rural society that evolved gradually following the demise of the Roman Empire. His analysis encompassed the evolution of property ownership, as well as advancements in production techniques and communication methods.
Through an innovative study conducted fairly recently, a significant contribution to our understanding of European society’s early stages emerged. Titled “Warriors and Peasants: Initial Development of the European Economy (1973),” this work delves into the intricate dynamics within social classes by skillfully incorporating insights from various disciplines such as anthropology, social demography, ecology, and community psychology. By embracing these fresh perspectives, the author sheds light on social mobility and interrelationships in a way that enriches the realm of historiographic research.
He viewed the beliefs and principles of medieval society as systems that played a significant role in history. In order to construct his narratives, he utilized a wide range of materials including biographies, letters, historical accounts, symbolic objects, and recurring rhetorical devices. This approach brought about an important development in the field of history. For instance, his book “The Thousand-Year: A new and different perspective on a crucial historical period” published in 1957, gathers literary sources from the thousand-year era, and is widely appreciated as a unique exploration of mentalities in history. Numerous other works also follow the same approach, such as “The Three Orders” or “The Feudal Imagination” published in 1978, and “The Knight, The Woman, and The Priest: Marriage in Feudal France” published in 1981.
During the era of cathedrals, there was an examination of the artist’s role in relation to both philosophical and religious beliefs, as well as the economic structure of the medieval society. Georges Duby proposed a relatively straightforward categorization of this period within the French context, dividing it into distinct phases: the period of enlightenment (1130-1190), the era of rationality (1190-1250), and the time of prosperity (1250-1280).
He focused on a significant happening in Europe: the black plague. He mentioned that although it negatively impacted the country’s economy, it also sparked a revitalization of European cultural values. Amidst the chaos, everything appeared to be rejuvenated and refreshed. Artists and patrons played an instrumental role in transforming art, turning it into a means of storytelling and visual expression. The artist’s purpose became serving humanity. This signaled the beginning of the Renaissance as a way to signify change and progression.
Georges Duby delves into the achievements of the history of mentalities in his insightful reflection on the new historiography. In the preface to his book “Europe in the Middle Ages,” Duby provides a brief overview of how this captivating piece came to be. He explains that it emerged from television films inspired by his earlier work, “The Time of the Cathedrals.” What makes this book truly unique is Duby’s inclusion of original medieval texts at the end of each chapter. These texts serve to not only illustrate but also bolster the themes discussed, granting readers a deeper understanding of the Middle Ages and the paradoxes it held. By exploring these intricate connections, readers can uncover the profound relationship that existed between medieval European art and society as a whole—a relationship that ultimately serves as a legitimate expression of the broader culture it was born from. Embracing a conversational approach, Duby skillfully weaves a narrative that engages readers and invites them to ponder the complexities and contradictions of this transformative period. Through thought-provoking analogies and metaphors, he guides readers on a captivating journey into the heart of medieval Europe, encouraging them to uncover the profound influence of art on society and culture.
In the wake of the devastating 1348 black plague epidemic, there emerged a surge in artistic creations, which swiftly became sought-after commodities. Intriguingly, Georges Duby, an astute observer, made an astonishing discovery during the fourteenth century – an era marked by an abundance of artistic expressions that deviated from the conventional cathedrals and palaces. Surprisingly, this unconventional form of art came in the guise of tombs. These tombs symbolized the authority and prestige wielded by the prominent princes and ecclesiastics, effectively transforming into monuments of esteemed civil power. Sadly, the impoverished urban dwellers of the fourteenth-century were denied access to these grand tombs; their only reprieve was the solace found in altarpieces and ecclesiastical engravings.