Charles Baudelaire, His Life

Charles Baudelaire, His Life is an autobiography by Charles Baudelaire. The author shares his life events, poetry, letters and essays in this extensive tome for lovers of lyricism.

Théophile Gautier (1811-1872) was a preeminent French poet, novelist, and critic renowned for his devotion to Art for Art's Sake. Embracing Romanticism, his body of work reverberates with a desire for the exotic and seeks beauty in its purest form. Gautier's literary output is versatile, stretching across various genres, including theatre criticism, poetry, novels, and short stories. Among his most notable works are 'Mademoiselle de Maupin,' a bold novel that explores androgyny and the aesthetics of sexuality, and 'Émaux et Camées,' a poetry collection that has been instrumental in the Parnassian movement. His lyrical prose is marked by vivid descriptions and a deep appreciation of the visual arts, which is reflected in his meticulously detailed narratives. Although 'Charles Baudelaire, His Life' is often attributed to Gautier, there is some ambiguity about this title because his most recognized tribute to the famed poet is in fact the preface to the 1868 edition of Baudelaire's 'Les Fleurs du mal,' wherein Gautier honors his friend and fellow artist after his death in 1867. Through his writing, Gautier has significantly influenced the Symbolists and modernist poets, becoming a staple figure in 19th-century French literature. His relentless advocacy for the autonomy of art has made his work a cornerstone of aesthetic criticism.