July 17, 2017 at 6:46 pm

Palaces of Self-Discovery: Amazing Libraries Across Europe by Thibaud Poirier

by twistedsifter

 

Palaces of Self-Discovery” is a photo series of libraries across Europe by French photographer Thibaud Poirier. The series was recently shared on Behance where Poirier adds:

 

“Reading is solitude,” Italo Calvino once said, embodying the inspiration behind this series. These temples of cultural worship gather communities, and yet the literary experience, and therefore the experience of a library, remains solitary. Giving groups of scholars and peers glimpses into the past, present and future of humanity, literature offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore one’s self from within through the unique internal narrative that each reader develops. It is this internal narrative that forms us when we are young, matures with us, and grows when we feed it. It was the first means of travel offered to many and continues to be the most accessible form of escape for millions of people seeking knowledge, the world, themselves. It is with an eye towards this improbable bled of public space and private experience that Poirier displays some of the finest libraries, both classical and modern, across Europe.
 
Poirier’s perspective pays homage to the personal touches and interpretations of literature that these architects brought to each library. Like fingerprints, each architect crafted his vision for a new space for this sacred self-exploration. These seemingly minute details are everywhere, from the balance of natural and artificial light to optimise reading yet preserve ancient texts to the selective use of studying tables to either foster community or encourage lonely reflection. The selection of these libraries that span space, time, style and cultures were carefully selected for each one’s unique ambiance and architectural contribution. This is reflected in Poirier’s tasteful use of symmetry to highlight classical values of beauty, and the strong visual interpretation of the solitude that one feels when immersed in reading. [source]

 

Poirier’s work is focused around architecture and urban environments. To see more, check out his work at the links below.

 

THIBAUD POIRIER
Website | Facebook | Behance | Instagram

 

 

1. Bibliothèque Nationale de France
Salle Labrouste, Paris, 1868

 
libraries of europe by thibaud poirier 2 Palaces of Self Discovery: Amazing Libraries Across Europe by Thibaud Poirier

THIBAUD POIRIER
Website | Facebook | Behance | Instagram

 

2. Trinity College Library, Dublin, 1732

 
libraries of europe by thibaud poirier 1 Palaces of Self Discovery: Amazing Libraries Across Europe by Thibaud Poirier

THIBAUD POIRIER
Website | Facebook | Behance | Instagram

 

3. Biblioteca Joanina, Coimbra, 1728

 
libraries of europe by thibaud poirier 7 Palaces of Self Discovery: Amazing Libraries Across Europe by Thibaud Poirier

THIBAUD POIRIER
Website | Facebook | Behance | Instagram

 

4. Stadtbibliothek, Stuttgart, 2011

 
libraries of europe by thibaud poirier 8 Palaces of Self Discovery: Amazing Libraries Across Europe by Thibaud Poirier

THIBAUD POIRIER
Website | Facebook | Behance | Instagram

 

5. Grimm Zentrum Library, Berlin, 2009

 
libraries of europe by thibaud poirier 5 Palaces of Self Discovery: Amazing Libraries Across Europe by Thibaud Poirier

THIBAUD POIRIER
Website | Facebook | Behance | Instagram

 

6. Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève, Paris, 1850

 
libraries of europe by thibaud poirier 6 Palaces of Self Discovery: Amazing Libraries Across Europe by Thibaud Poirier

THIBAUD POIRIER
Website | Facebook | Behance | Instagram

 

7. Biblioteca Casanatense, Rome, 1701

 
libraries of europe by thibaud poirier 4 Palaces of Self Discovery: Amazing Libraries Across Europe by Thibaud Poirier

THIBAUD POIRIER
Website | Facebook | Behance | Instagram

 

8. Bibliothèque de l’Hotel de Ville de Paris, Paris, 1890

 
libraries of europe by thibaud poirier 3 Palaces of Self Discovery: Amazing Libraries Across Europe by Thibaud Poirier

THIBAUD POIRIER
Website | Facebook | Behance | Instagram

 

9. Bibliothèque de la Sorbonne
Salle Jacqueline de Romilly, Paris, 1897

 
libraries of europe by thibaud poirier 9 Palaces of Self Discovery: Amazing Libraries Across Europe by Thibaud Poirier

THIBAUD POIRIER
Website | Facebook | Behance | Instagram