Dallègement

Dallègement is a term that can refer to several concepts, primarily in the context of art and the study of historical documents. In the realm of art history, dallègement describes the practice of creating smaller, often highly detailed copies of larger works of art. These reduced versions could be used for various purposes, such as study, private enjoyment, or as a means of disseminating artistic styles and compositions to a wider audience. This process allowed patrons to own a representation of a famous artwork without the expense or space required for the original.

Beyond art, dallègement also has significance in paleography and codicology, the study of ancient manuscripts. In this field, it refers to the process of creating a miniature or abridged version of a manuscript. This might be done for a variety of reasons, including ease of transport, to create a more accessible version for personal study, or as a way to summarize the content of a larger work. Such dallègements could offer valuable insights into the transmission of knowledge and the intellectual practices of the past. The term itself is derived from the French word "alléger," meaning to lighten or to make less heavy, reflecting the reduction in size and complexity.