Object details
Accession number
P27w83
Primary Creator
Dornac
(Paris, 1858 - 1941, Paris)
Full title
Paul Verlaine
Creation Date
1892
Object Case
French Authors Case
Provenance
Entered Isabella Stewart Gardner's collection at an unknown date.
Marks
Inscribed in ink over print (bottom edge): café con Vanier, bien cordialement Paul Verlaine, (Du courage a l'ouvrage!) [café with Vanier, best regards Paul Verlaine, Armed for battle!]
Dimensions
14 x 19 cm (5 1/2 x 7 1/2 in.)
Display Media
Gelatin silver print
Web Commentary
French poet Paul Verlaine (1844-1896) is a key figure within the Symbolist movement, a genre of poetry that held great appeal to Isabella Stewart Gardner. This photograph shows the rebellious and hard-drinking poet seated at a banquette in a Parisian café, his ever-present glass of absinthe on the table. His slouched shoulders and heavy-lidded expression convey the depths of his world-weariness, a stance that would have aroused Gardner’s empathy and compassion.
Permanent Gallery Location
Long Gallery
Rights and reproductions
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