Tolkien, the compelling exhibition at Paris BnF - pictures

For fans of Tolkien and fantasy, the Bibliothèque Nationale de France is opening a huge retrospective of the work of the famous writer behind The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. On view from October 22, 2019 to February 16, 2020.

The exhibition Tolkien, voyage en Terre du Milieu, to be discovered from October 22, 2019 to February 16, 2020 at the BNF, aims to immerse fans in the universe of theBritish writer, considered the founder of Fantasy.

Billed as France's largest retrospective dedicated to J.R.R Tolkien (1892-1973), the exhibition will feature some 300 items over an area of 1,000m², and is intended as "an invitation to travel to the heart of Tolkien's imaginary geography"! For the occasion, the BNF collaborated with the Tolkien Estate and the Tolkien family, and partnered with Oxford University's Bodley Library, which hosted the exhibition "JRR Tolkien: Maker of Middle-Earth" from June to October 2018.

Featuring many of Tolkien's manuscripts, often illustrated by English illustrator Alan Lee, the exhibition gives us an insight into the universe imagined by the writer, from its landscapes and peoples to its languages, all invented by this Oxford professor of medieval languages and literature who has gone down in posterity.

Discover the exhibition on video:

A long-awaited journey to Middle-earth

The first part of the exhibition immerses visitors in the heart of different territories in Middle-earth. After an introduction outlining the context for those curious about the writer's work, we find ourselves in the Shire, the land of the Hobbits where Bilbo and Frodo Sacquet grew up. We then retrace the heroes' journeys, crossing the land of the elves, the kingdom of the dwarves, Gondor, Rohan, Isengard and finally Mordor.

In the process, we discover all the reflections that surround this world imagined by Tolkien. Each of the peoples of Middle-earth has its own culture, and sometimes even several languages. Each territory provides an opportunity to explore literary, cultural and linguistic issues. Tolkien's original manuscripts and drawings, carefully calligraphed and illustrated with diagrams and drawings, are true masterpieces to be discovered once in a lifetime.

To accompany them, and to underline Tolkien's winks, the BNF has brought together numerous objects and books: Norse tales and medieval manuscripts, engravings, paintings, illuminations, objects and weapons from Paris museums. These historical inspirations are echoed in the manuscripts and sketches, creating before our eyes the imaginary yet very real world created by the famous writer.

A life's work

While the first part of the book should appeal to all fans of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, the second part tells you more about the man behind the work. As well as being an excellent writer, Tolkien was also a linguist, an academic and an excellent draughtsman.

In the second part of theexhibition, you'll discover the submerged part of the Iceberg. At Oxford, he taught medieval literature, a period that greatly influenced his work. In a room with a set design that gives the illusion of a library, we discover Tolkien the academic and his work. Then, surrounded by family photos, we discover Tolkien the father, with the fake Santa Claus letters he drew himself for his children.

A presentation of the author's poems, watercolors, working notes and stories reveals the scope of Tolkien's creation. Little by little, the world's work takes shape, and suddenly we are struck by this life's work, part of which was made public after J.R.R. Tolkien' s death by his own son, Christopher. Of Middle-earth, many knew only the quest for the ring and the unexpected journey of Bilbo Baggins. Yet now we discover that thehistory of Middle-earth stretches from the earliest times to almost the present day. Fantasy has never been so realistic.

Exceptionally, theexhibition features 4 tapestries recently woven from Tolkien's watercolours by the Cité internationale de la tapisserie d'Aubusson!

So, are you happy?

Please note that it's been over 4 years since our last visit, so the place and experience may have changed.