We explain what Parnassianism is and its characteristics. In addition, we explain its importance and main representatives.
Parnassianist authors like Baudelaire sought objectivity in poetry.
What is Parnassianism?
Parnassianism was a unique French poetry movement that emerged around 1850 and which stood out for the perfection of its literary work, as opposed to the sentimentalism of the romantic movement that preceded it. It was part of the “realistic era” which was also made up of two other schools or movements: realism and naturalism, which were not exclusive to poetry, but included prose.
Parnassianism was a reaction against subjectivism and spirituality, and It was based on objectivity, materialism and scienceThe French Théophile Gautier and Leconte de Lisle were the founders of the literary movement.
The word Parnassianism is of Greek origin and refers to Mount Parnassus where the inspiring goddesses and muses were found.
See also: Renaissance
Characteristics of Parnassianism
Parnassianism was characterized by:
- Being a literary movement typical of poetry.
- Be based on cold rationality that rejects the expression of feelings.
- Being a controlled art in all its forms, which I was looking for perfection and beauty in a rigorous way.
- Create one descriptive and pessimistic poetry which breaks with dreams, ideals and cultures, but without mentioning political or social movements.
- Being an art considered beautiful and perfect, without needing to be useful from morality, ideology or education.
It may be useful to you: Beauty (in philosophy)
Importance of Parnassianism
Parnassianism was important because its influence on later movements, such as modernism which also manifested itself through poetry and was characterized by a narcissistic and aristocratic approach, with an aesthetic renewal of language.
The main contribution of Parnassianism was consider art for art’s sakeand not by the subjectivity that each particular individual can decode. It did not pursue a utility or did not seek to raise awareness from its manifestation, only to express the beauty and perfection of art itself.
Representatives of Parnassianism
Poets like Glatigny cultivated art for art’s sake, without useful or moral objectives.
Among the main representatives of Parnassianism are:
- Theodore de Banville (1823 – 1891). He was a French poet and playwright, considered one of the founders of Parnassianism. He was known for works such as: “Brief treatise on French versification” from 1872 and “Western women and golden rhymes” of 1875.
- Charles Leconte de Lisle (1818 – 1894). He was a French poet known for his high level of stylistic correctness, also considered one of the founders of Parnassianism. He stood out for works such as: “Barbarian Poems” of 1862 and “The Erinyes” of 1872.
- Théophile Gautier (1811 – 1872). He was a French poet, playwright and journalist. He was known for works such as: “The comedy of death” from 1838 and “Enamels and cameos” of 1852.
- Catulle Mendès (1841 – 1909). He was a French writer, historian and critic. He was known for works such as: “Philoméla” from 1863 and “The Embers of the Ashtray” from 1900.
- Charles Baudelaire (1821 – 1867). He was a French poet, essayist and art critic. He stood out for participating in “The Cursed Essays” of 1884, a book of essays by the poet of symbolism Paul Verlaine that mentions phrases or parts of the work of various Parnassianist authors. He stood out for works such as: “The Flowers of Evil” of 1840 and “Little Poems in Prose” of 1869.
- Louis Ménard (1822 – 1901). He was a French writer and poet who published the book “Prologue to a revolution” during the revolution of 1848, for which he was threatened and had to go into exile. He also stood out for his work “The Reveries of a Pagan Mystic” from 1867.
- Albert Glatigny (1839 – 1873). He was a French poet and playwright. He was known for works such as: “The Golden Arrows” from 1864 and “The Red Iron, New Punishments” from 1870.
- Jose Maria Heredia (1842 – 1905). He was a poet and translator of Cuban origin. He turned out to be one of the main figures of Parnassianism and stood out for works such as: “Ode to Niagara” of 1824 and “Hymn of the Exiled” of 1827.
- François Coppée (1842 – 1908). He was a French poet, novelist and playwright. He was known for works such as: “The Reliquary” from 1866 and “In Prayer and in Struggle” from 1901.
- Leon Dierx (1838 – 1912). He was a French poet who stood out for works such as: “Poems and poems” from 1864 and “The meeting” from 1875.
Continue with: Symbolism