Livres en images - Books in pictures

By letting the pictures guide the narrative, supported by readings of selected excerpts, these videos offer an accessible introduction to the works, which is particularly valuable in the case of challenging scientific publications.

This unusual approach, introduced by the Fondation Maison des Sciences de l’Homme (FMSH), therefore helps to make specialised research works accessible without sacrificing their complexity or depth. Eleven videos have already demonstrated the richness of the illustrated works published by the Éditions de la MSH and the publishers it distributes.

The story of ‘Livres en images’ began in June 2020, with the publication of the Atlas de la grotte Chauvet-Pont d’Arc (Atlas of the Chauvet-Pont d’Arc Cave) in the ‘Documents d’archéologie française’ collection of the Éditions de la MSH. In the unusual context of the lockdown, this major publication deserved an innovative approach to help bring it to its audience. As the first geographical atlas of a decorated cave and the first official presentation of twenty years of research at Chauvet-Pont d’Arc, this ambitious work required equally ambitious ways of reaching its readers.

To achieve this, the press and audiovisual services of the FMSH pooled their expertise to design a new digital outreach format. This unprecedented approach helped to make the most of the book’s exceptional qualities: its extra-large format and its remarkable photographs and graphic reproductions, which make it a unique blend of scientific publishing and art. This first experience, born out of the necessity to adapt, paved the way for a new approach to sharing knowledge with the largest possible audience.