Charles Baudelaire
- Born:
- April 9, 1821, Paris, France
- Died:
- August 31, 1867, Paris, France
- Nationality:
- French
- Profession(s):
- Poet, Essayist, Art Critic, Translator
Early Life and Education
- Baudelaire's early life was marked by the death of his father in 1827 and his mother's subsequent remarriage to Jacques Aupick.
- He attended the Lycée Louis-le-Grand but was eventually expelled.
- Despite expulsion, he passed his baccalauréat in 1839.
- A trip to India was arranged by his stepfather to curb his artistic inclinations, but he returned to Paris and pursued a literary career.
Career and Major Achievements
- Baudelaire established himself as a prominent art critic, championing the works of Eugène Delacroix.
- He was a pioneer in translating Edgar Allan Poe's works into French, introducing Poe's literature to a wider European audience.
- Published his most significant work, Les Fleurs du mal (The Flowers of Evil), in 1857.
- Les Fleurs du mal faced censorship and legal challenges upon its release due to perceived obscenity.
Notable Works
- Les Fleurs du mal (The Flowers of Evil) - a seminal collection of poetry.
- Petits Poèmes en prose (Paris Spleen) - a collection of prose poems.
- The Painter of Modern Life - a significant work of art criticism.
- Translations of Edgar Allan Poe's works, including Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque.
Legacy and Impact
Charles Baudelaire's work revolutionized modern poetry and art criticism. He explored themes of urban life, decadence, and the duality of human nature, influencing generations of writers and artists. His exploration of beauty in unexpected places, sometimes even inspired by what some might describe as a 'baudelaire biography petite wedding' of artistic sensibilities, cemented his position as a major figure in literary history.