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Title page of Institution de la religion chrestienne (1541 French edition)

John Calvin · 1541

The title page of Calvin's 1541 French translation of his own Institutes of the Christian Religion, originally written in Latin.

The title page of Calvin's own French translation of his major theological work, Institutes of the Christian Religion.

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Title page of a 1541 French book, Institution de la religion chrestienne, composed in Latin by Jean Calvin and translated into French by himself, with a preface addressed to the King of France. Includes handwritten inscription, Habac. 1 verse, a Bibliotheque Publique de Geneve stamp, and date MDXLI.
John Calvin, title page of Institution de la religion chrestienne, 1541.

About this source

What it is

This is the title page of the 1541 French edition of Institution de la religion chrestienne, written by John Calvin. Calvin originally composed the work in Latin and translated it himself into French, adding a preface addressed to the King of France. The page bears a library stamp and a handwritten inscription.

Why it matters

Calvin's Institutes became one of the most influential works of Protestant theology. By translating it into French himself, Calvin made his ideas accessible to a wider audience beyond Latin-reading scholars, helping spread Reformed theology across French-speaking Europe.

Look closer

  • Why might Calvin have chosen to translate his own work into French rather than leave it only in Latin?
  • What does addressing the preface to the King of France suggest about the risks and politics of writing such a book?
  • What clues on this page show its long history of ownership and preservation?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of John Calvin on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Printed facsimile page titled 'Calvin to Edward VI, King of England, July 4 1552, British Museum', showing a handwritten letter in French script with a signature 'Vostre bon frère ... Iehan Calvin' at the bottom.Letter

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Painted portrait of a bearded man in a black beret, dark-brown garment, black collar with white linen edge, turned three-quarters to the left against a brown background. Inscription at top reads IOANNES CALVINVS.Painting

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Portrait of John Calvin

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