Robert de Montesquiou
Encyclopedia
Marie Joseph Robert Anatole, comte de Montesquiou-Fézensac (March 7, 1855, Paris – December 11, 1921, Menton
), was a French aesthete, Symbolist poet, art collector and dandy
.
He is reputed to have been the inspiration both for des Esseintes in Joris-Karl Huysmans
' (1848-1907) À rebours
(1884) and, most famously, for Baron de Charlus in Proust
's (1871-1922) À la recherche du temps perdu
(1913-1927).
. He was a distant nephew of Charles de Batz-Castelmore d'Artagnan
, the model for Dumas'
Musketeer
. His paternal grandfather was Count Anatole de Montesquiou-Fezensac (1788-1878), Aide-de-camp to Napoleon
and grand officer of the Légion d'honneur
; his father was Anatole's third son, Thierry, who married Pauline Duroux, an orphan, in 1841. With his wife's dowry, Thierry bought a Charnizay
manor, built a mansion in Paris, and was elected Vice-President of the Jockey Club
. He was a successful stockbroker who left a substantial fortune. Robert was the last of Count Thierry's children, brothers Gontran and Aymery, and sister Élise. His cousin, Élisabeth, comtesse Greffulhe
(1860-1952), was one of Marcel Proust
's (1871-1922) models for the duchesse de Guermantes..
He had social relationships and collaborations with many celebrities of the Fin de siècle
period, including Alphonse Daudet
(1840–1897), Edmond de Goncourt
(1822–1896), Eleonora Duse
(1858–1924), Sarah Bernhardt
(1844-1923), Gabriele d'Annunzio
(1863-1938), Luisa Casati
(1881-1957), Jean Cocteau
(1889-1963), and Maurice Barrès
(1862-1923).
He had a strong influence on Émile Gallé
(1846-1904), a glass artist he collaborated with and commissioned major works from, and from whom he received hundreds of adulatory letters.
His portrait Arrangement in Black and Gold: Comte Robert de Montesquiou-Fezensac was painted by his close friend, and model for many of his eccentric mannerisms, James Abbott McNeill Whistler in 1891-1892.
The French artist Antonio de La Gandara
(1861-1917) produced several portraits of the Comte.
He wrote the verses found in the optional choral parts of Gabriel Fauré
's Pavane
.
_-_robert_de_montesquiou_(1891).jpg)
Menton
Menton is a commune in the Alpes-Maritimes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.Situated on the French Riviera, along the Franco-Italian border, it is nicknamed la perle de la France ....
), was a French aesthete, Symbolist poet, art collector and dandy
Dandy
A dandy is a man who places particular importance upon physical appearance, refined language, and leisurely hobbies, pursued with the appearance of nonchalance in a cult of Self...
.
He is reputed to have been the inspiration both for des Esseintes in Joris-Karl Huysmans
Joris-Karl Huysmans
Charles-Marie-Georges Huysmans was a French novelist who published his works as Joris-Karl Huysmans . He is most famous for the novel À rebours...
' (1848-1907) À rebours
À rebours
À rebours is a novel by the French writer Joris-Karl Huysmans...
(1884) and, most famously, for Baron de Charlus in Proust
Marcel Proust
Valentin Louis Georges Eugène Marcel Proust was a French novelist, critic, and essayist best known for his monumental À la recherche du temps perdu...
's (1871-1922) À la recherche du temps perdu
In Search of Lost Time
In Search of Lost Time or Remembrance of Things Past is a novel in seven volumes by Marcel Proust. His most prominent work, it is popularly known for its considerable length and the notion of involuntary memory, the most famous example being the "episode of the madeleine." The novel is widely...
(1913-1927).
Biography
Robert de Montesquiou was a scion of the famous French Montesquiou-Fézensac FamilyMontesquiou family
The House of Montesquiou is the main branch of the Fezensac family, itself being a cadet branch of the House of Gascony. It is one of oldest aristocratic families in Europe....
. He was a distant nephew of Charles de Batz-Castelmore d'Artagnan
Charles de Batz-Castelmore d'Artagnan
Charles Ogier de Batz de Castelmore, Comte d'Artagnan served Louis XIV as captain of the Musketeers of the Guard and died at the Siege of Maastricht in the Franco-Dutch War. A fictionalized account of his life by Gatien de Courtilz de Sandras formed the basis for the d'Artagnan Romances of...
, the model for Dumas'
Alexandre Dumas, père
Alexandre Dumas, , born Dumas Davy de la Pailleterie was a French writer, best known for his historical novels of high adventure which have made him one of the most widely read French authors in the world...
Musketeer
D'Artagnan
Charles Ogier de Batz de Castelmore, Comte d'Artagnan served Louis XIV as captain of the Musketeers of the Guard and died at the Siege of Maastricht in the Franco-Dutch War. A fictionalized account of his life by Gatien de Courtilz de Sandras formed the basis for the d'Artagnan Romances of...
. His paternal grandfather was Count Anatole de Montesquiou-Fezensac (1788-1878), Aide-de-camp to Napoleon
Napoleon I of France
Napoleon Bonaparte was a French military and political leader during the latter stages of the French Revolution.As Napoleon I, he was Emperor of the French from 1804 to 1815...
and grand officer of the Légion d'honneur
Légion d'honneur
The Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802...
; his father was Anatole's third son, Thierry, who married Pauline Duroux, an orphan, in 1841. With his wife's dowry, Thierry bought a Charnizay
Charnizay
Charnizay is a commune in the Indre-et-Loire department in central France.Its inhabitants are called Charnizéens, Charnizéennes.-History:In 1794, Charnizay annexed the commune of Saint Michel des Landes-Demography:-Sights:...
manor, built a mansion in Paris, and was elected Vice-President of the Jockey Club
Jockey-Club de Paris
The Jockey Club de Paris is best remembered as a gathering of the elite of nineteenth-century French society. The club still exists at 2 rue Rabelais, and hosts the International Federation of Racing Authorities...
. He was a successful stockbroker who left a substantial fortune. Robert was the last of Count Thierry's children, brothers Gontran and Aymery, and sister Élise. His cousin, Élisabeth, comtesse Greffulhe
Elisabeth, comtesse Greffulhe
Marie Anatole Louise Élisabeth, Countess Greffulhe , was a renowned beauty, and queen of the salons of the Faubourg Saint-Germain in Paris....
(1860-1952), was one of Marcel Proust
Marcel Proust
Valentin Louis Georges Eugène Marcel Proust was a French novelist, critic, and essayist best known for his monumental À la recherche du temps perdu...
's (1871-1922) models for the duchesse de Guermantes..
He had social relationships and collaborations with many celebrities of the Fin de siècle
Fin de siècle
Fin de siècle is French for "end of the century". The term sometimes encompasses both the closing and onset of an era, as it was felt to be a period of degeneration, but at the same time a period of hope for a new beginning...
period, including Alphonse Daudet
Alphonse Daudet
Alphonse Daudet was a French novelist. He was the father of Léon Daudet and Lucien Daudet.- Early life :Alphonse Daudet was born in Nîmes, France. His family, on both sides, belonged to the bourgeoisie. The father, Vincent Daudet, was a silk manufacturer — a man dogged through life by misfortune...
(1840–1897), Edmond de Goncourt
Edmond de Goncourt
Edmond de Goncourt , born Edmond Louis Antoine Huot de Goncourt, was a French writer, literary critic, art critic, book publisher and the founder of the Académie Goncourt.-Biography:...
(1822–1896), Eleonora Duse
Eleonora Duse
-Life and career:Duse was born in Vigevano, Lombardy, and began acting as a child. Both her father and her grandfather were actors, and she joined the troupe at age four. Due to poverty, she initially worked continually, traveling from city to city with whichever troupe her family was currently...
(1858–1924), Sarah Bernhardt
Sarah Bernhardt
Sarah Bernhardt was a French stage and early film actress, and has been referred to as "the most famous actress the world has ever known". Bernhardt made her fame on the stages of France in the 1870s, and was soon in demand in Europe and the Americas...
(1844-1923), Gabriele d'Annunzio
Gabriele D'Annunzio
Gabriele D'Annunzio or d'Annunzio was an Italian poet, journalist, novelist, and dramatist...
(1863-1938), Luisa Casati
Luisa Casati
Luisa, Marquise Casati Stampa di Soncino was an eccentric Italian heiress, muse, and patroness of the arts in early 20th century Europe...
(1881-1957), Jean Cocteau
Jean Cocteau
Jean Maurice Eugène Clément Cocteau was a French poet, novelist, dramatist, designer, playwright, artist and filmmaker. His circle of associates, friends and lovers included Kenneth Anger, Pablo Picasso, Jean Hugo, Jean Marais, Henri Bernstein, Marlene Dietrich, Coco Chanel, Erik Satie, María...
(1889-1963), and Maurice Barrès
Maurice Barrès
Maurice Barrès was a French novelist, journalist, and socialist politician and agitator known for his nationalist and antisemitic views....
(1862-1923).
He had a strong influence on Émile Gallé
Émile Gallé
Émile Gallé was a French artist who worked in glass, and is considered to be one of the major forces in the French Art Nouveau movement.- Biography :...
(1846-1904), a glass artist he collaborated with and commissioned major works from, and from whom he received hundreds of adulatory letters.
His portrait Arrangement in Black and Gold: Comte Robert de Montesquiou-Fezensac was painted by his close friend, and model for many of his eccentric mannerisms, James Abbott McNeill Whistler in 1891-1892.
The French artist Antonio de La Gandara
Antonio de La Gandara
Antonio de la Gándara was a French painter, pastellist and draughtsman.-Biography:He was born in Paris, France, but his father was of Spanish ancestry, born in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, and his mother was from England. La Gandara's talent was strongly influenced by both cultures...
(1861-1917) produced several portraits of the Comte.
He wrote the verses found in the optional choral parts of Gabriel Fauré
Gabriel Fauré
Gabriel Urbain Fauré was a French composer, organist, pianist and teacher. He was one of the foremost French composers of his generation, and his musical style influenced many 20th century composers...
's Pavane
Pavane (Fauré)
The Pavane in F-sharp minor, Op. 50, is a composition by the French composer Gabriel Fauré, written in 1887. It was originally a piano piece, but is better known in Fauré's version for orchestra and optional chorus...
.
'An Adventure'
In his biography Philippe Jullian proposes that Moberly and Jourdain's 'Adventure' in 1901 in the grounds of the Petit Trianon is explained by them stumbling into a rehearsal of one of Montesquiou's Tableaux Vivant, with his friends (one possibly transvestite) dressed in period costume. Dr Joan Evans, who owned the copyright to 'An Adventure' accepted this solution and forbad any further editions.Poetry
Note that there is original text related to this article at: French Wikisource- Les Chauves-Souris, Clairs obscurs (Richard, édition privée : 1892, édition commercialisée : 1893 ; illustrated by Madeleine LemaireMadeleine LemaireMadeleine Lemaire 1845 – 1928, was a French painter specialized in elegant genre works, and flowers. Robert de Montesquiou said she was The Empress of the Roses...
) - Le Chef des odeurs suaves, Floréal extrait (Richard, 1893)
- Le Parcours du rêve au souvenir (Charpentier et Fasquelle, 1895)
- Les Hortensias bleus (Charpentier et Fasquelle, 1896)
- Les Perles rouges : 93 sonnets historiques (Charpentier et Fasquelle, 1899)
- Les Paons (Charpentier et Fasquelle, 1901)
- Prières de tous : Huit dizaines d'un chapelet rythmique (Maison du Livre, 1902)
- Calendrier Robert de Montesquiou pour 1903
- Calendrier Robert de Montesquiou 1904
- Passiflora (L'Abbaye, 1907)
- Les Paroles diaprées, cent dédicaces (Richard, 1910)
- Les Paroles diaprées, nouvelle série de dédicaces (Richard, 1912)
- Les Offrandes blessées : elégies guerrières (Sansot, 1915)
- Nouvelles Offrandes blessées (Maison du Livre, 1915)
- Offrande coloniale (1915)
- Sabliers et lacrymatoires : elégies guerrières et humaines (Sansot, 1917)
- Un moment du pleur éternel : offrandes innommées (Sansot, 1919)
- Les Quarante bergères : Portraits satiriques..., avec a frontispieceBook frontispieceA frontispiece is a decorative illustration facing a book's title page. The frontispiece is the verso opposite the recto title page. Elaborate engraved frontispieces were in frequent use, especially in Bibles and in scholarly books, and many are masterpieces of engraving...
de Aubrey BeardsleyAubrey BeardsleyAubrey Vincent Beardsley was an English illustrator and author. His drawings, done in black ink and influenced by the style of Japanese woodcuts, emphasized the grotesque, the decadent, and the erotic. He was a leading figure in the Aesthetic movement which also included Oscar Wilde and James A....
(Librairie de France, 1925)
Essays
- Félicité : étude sur la poësie de Marceline Desbordes-ValmoreMarceline Desbordes-ValmoreMarceline Desbordes-Valmore was a French poet.She was born in Douai. Following the French Revolution, her family emigrated to Guadeloupe. In 1817 she married her second husband, the actor Prosper Lanchantin-Valmore....
, suivie d'un essai de classification de ses motifs d'inspiration (Lemerre, 1894) - Roseaux pensants (Charpentier et Fasquelle, 1897)
- Apollon aux lanternes (Albert Lanier, 1898)
- Autels privilégiés (Charpentier et Fasquelle, 1898)
- Alice et Aline, une peinture de Chassériau (Charpentier et Fasquelle, 1898)
- Musée rétrospectif de la classe 90 ((parfumerie (matières premières, matériel, procédés et produits): a l'Exposition universelle internationale de 1900, a Paris), Belin Frères, 1900)
- Alfred StevensAlfred Stevens (painter)Alfred Émile Léopold Stevens was a Belgian painter.Alfred Stevens was born in Brussels. He came from a family involved with the visual arts: his older brother Joseph and his son Léopold were painters, while another brother Arthur was an art dealer and critic...
(1823–1906) (extrait de la Gazette des Beaux-Arts, 1900) - Pays de aromates (Floury, 1900)
- L'Inextricable graveur : Rodolphe BresdinRodolphe BresdinRodolphe Bresdin was a French draughtsman and engraver, born in Le Fresne-sur-Loire on 12 August 1822, who died in Sèvres on 11 January 1885....
(Richard, 1904) - Professionnelles beautés (Juven, 1905)
- Altesses sérénissimes (Juven, 1907)
- Assemblée de notables (Juven, 1908)
- Saints d'Israël (Maison du livre, 1910)
- Brelan de dames : essai d'après trois femmes auteurs (Fontemoing et Cie, 1912)
- Têtes d'expression (Emile-Paul Frères, 1912)
- Paul Helleu, peintre et graveur (Floury, 1913)
- Têtes Couronnées (Sansot, 1916)
- Majeurs et mineurs (Sansot, 1917)
- Diptyque de Flandre, Triptyque de France (Sansot, 1921)
- Les Délices de Capharnaüm (Émile-Paul Frères, 1921)
- Elus et Appelés (Émile-Paul Frères, 1921)
- Le Mort remontant (Émile-Paul Frères, 1922)
Novels
- La Petite mademoiselle (Albin-Michel, 1911)
- La Trépidation (Emile-Paul Frères, 1922)
Biographies
- Le Chancelier des fleurs : douze stations d'amitié (Maison du livre, 1907)
- La Divine Comtesse : Étude d'après Madame de Castiglione (Virginia Oldoini) (Goupil, 1913)
- L'Agonie de Paul Verlaine, 1890-1896 (M. Escoffier, 1923)
Memoirs
- Les Pas effacés, 3 vol. (Émile-Paul Frères, 1923; réed. Editions du Sandre, 3 vol)
Further reading
- Robert de Montesquiou, mécene et dandy, Patrick Chaleyssin, Somogy, 1992
- Robert de Montesquiou, Les Pas effacés, Suivi d'une étude de Thanh-Vân Ton-That, Editions du Sandre, Paris
- Elegant Wits and Grand Horizontals, Cornelia Otis SkinnerCornelia Otis SkinnerCornelia Otis Skinner was an American author and actress.-Biography:Skinner was the daughter of the actor Otis Skinner and his wife Maud Skinner. After attending the all-girls' Baldwin School and Bryn Mawr College and studying theatre at the Sorbonne in Paris, she began her career on the stage...
, Houghton Mifflin, Boston, 1962