Books

Paris: Poulet-Malassis & de Broise, 1861. Fine. Poulet-Malassis & de Broise, Paris 1861, 12,5x19cm, relié. - | Parce que les Fleurs c'est impérissable... |* Seconde édition originale sur papier courant, dont il aurait été tiré 1500 exemplaires après 4 chine, quelques hollande et quelques vélin fort. Notre exemplaire bien complet du portrait de Charles Baudelaire par Félix Bracquemond sur chine contrecollé, qui manque souvent, ici en premier état, avant la mention L'artiste au dessus du portrait, pâles rousseurs. Reliure à la bradel en demi percaline orange, dos lisse orné de doubles filets dorés, date dorée en queue, pièce de titre de chagrin marron, plats de papier à la cuve, reliure de l'époque. Cette édition, entièrement recomposée par l'auteur, enrichie de 35 nouveaux poèmes et de 55 poèmes « profondément remanié[s] » est considérée à tort comme une édition « en partie originale ». Véritable nouvelle édition originale, cette…

"Les Fleurs du mal" (The Flowers of Evil) is a seminal work by Charles Baudelaire, first published in 1857. It stands as one of the most influential collections of poetry in the modernist movement, exploring the complexities of beauty, decadence, and the ephemeral nature of happiness within the urban landscape of 19th-century Paris. Baudelaire delves into themes of love, despair, existential angst, and the search for transcendence, using vivid imagery and innovative poetic techniques to convey his insights and emotions. The collection is renowned for its exploration of the concept of "spleen," a term Baudelaire uses to describe a deep sense of melancholy and disillusionment. This mood is contrasted with the "Ideal," representing moments of beauty, joy, and spiritual elevation. "Les Fleurs du mal" captures the duality of human experience—the coexistence of light and darkness, purity and corruption. Baudelaire's poems navigate the reader through the gritty realities of urban life, touching on themes of alienation, moral decadence, and the impact of industrialization, while also seeking beauty in the mundane and the morbid. Baudelaire's work caused a scandal upon its release, leading to a public obscenity trial and the condemnation of six of the poems, which were only reinstated in later editions after his death. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, "Les Fleurs du mal" has endured as a masterpiece of French literature, influencing countless poets and artists with its complex portrayal of human nature and its pioneering use of symbolist imagery. Through "Les Fleurs du mal," Baudelaire not only reshaped the landscape of poetic form and expression but also offered a haunting, visionary response to the discontents of modern life.