Complaints Jules Laforgue - Lithos Dauchot 1/100 With SUITE 1957 Poetry

Gabriel Dauchot

“Today he is one of the greatest artists in Paris, in the tradition of an Utrillo , a Marquet or a Dufy . He invites us on a nostalgic stroll through a timeless Paris, that of small trades, mechanics and grisettes, garrets and bistros, this cheeky Paris that amuses and softens him and that he restores to us in his way. »

— Jacques Chirac , Retrospective Gabriel Dauchot , [catalog], Lanobre, Château de Val, summer 1992 .

Jules Laforgue, Symbolist Poet

Laforgue is anchored in this fin de siècle spirit, with the particularity of this writing which is the irony with which he treats artistic commonplaces. In 1885, the wave of romanticism had passed and Laforgue, with his Complaints , contributed to subverting the ideals of this literary school: he showed their shortcomings, faults and excesses. In particular in his "Complaint of another Sunday" which has as its main theme a setting sun.

"No doubt there are still readers who are irritated or disconcerted by Les Complaintes , but, provided one is able to grasp the subtleties of a language, which Laforgue suggests in order not to have to Saying so does not present any difficulties of interpretation. If his poetry is lanky, it is not to create a scandal, it is on the contrary out of discretion; if she jokes, it is because human respect forbids her the romantic effusions of a Musset and her whining like a spoiled child. »