French Literature Reviews - 2026

A. Cervoni, Théophile Gautier devant la critique 1830-1872
Other Literary Studies

Aurélia Cervoni, Théophile Gautier devant la critique 1830-1872

Classiques Garnier, coll. études romantiques et dix-neuviémistes, EAN 13: 9782406058540, 453 p.

The red waistcoat from the battle of Hernani, "art for art's sake," the moral indifference of Mademoiselle de Maupin and Émaux et camées... What is the origin of the clichés surrounding Théophile Gautier? This study examines how the reputation of the "impeccable poet" was shaped over time.
Table of contents

This volume traces the evolving critical reception of Théophile Gautier from the July Monarchy through the early years of the Third Republic, a pivotal era marked by shifting aesthetic standards and intense literary polemics. As a central figure of French Romanticism and a precursor to Parnassianism, Gautier often provoked polarized responses from his contemporaries. By examining periodicals, reviews, and contemporary commentary, this study sheds light on the mechanisms of literary fame and the ways in which critical discourse constructs the persona of an author over time.

Readers interested in nineteenth-century French literature, Romantic aesthetics, and the history of literary criticism will find this research particularly valuable. It offers essential context for understanding how catchphrases like art for art's sake and the myth of the impeccable poet took root in public consciousness. Scholars and students exploring the intersections of journalism, literature, and reputation in nineteenth-century France will appreciate the thorough documentation and the broad perspective brought to bear on Gautier's enduring legacy.