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When German troops withdrew from Paris after the Franco-Prussian War of 1871, French anarchists briefly established the Commune of Paris. Though the Commune of Paris was not long-lived, it seemed to set off a time in French culture when radical ideas in literature, art, theatre, and architecture were allowed to blossom. Paris became the center of avant-garde culture.
The writing of Victor Hugo, most of which, including “Les Miserables,” was published mid-century, was to have a great influence on the next generation of artists. Writers such as Guy de Maupassant and Stephan Mallarme and their unconventional ideas flourished as the turn of the century neared. The poet Arthur Rimbaud revolutionized verse with his dark, introspective work, including “A Season in Hell,” which was published in 1873. Decadence was in vogue: Rimbaud scandalized Paris by leaving his wife for a man, fellow poet Paul Verlaine, and died at 37 of syphilis after years of drug abuse and degradation. Modern artists such as Patti Smith and Bob Dylan cite Rimbaud as being influential to their work.
The greatest political scandal of the fin de siecle was the Dreyfus Affair. Captain Alfred Dreyfus had been falsely accused of spying for the Germans, an accusation which many felt was based on anti-Semitism. Dreyfus was convicted and sentenced to Devil’s Island. In his famous open letter of January 13, 1898, “J’Accuse,” the writer Emile Zola defended Dreyfus, the case was reopened, and Dreyfus was eventually set free. Zola had courted controversy three years before with his novel “Germinal,” a sympathetic portrait of striking coal miners.
Hector Guimard and Victor Horta were two of the leading architects of the Art Noveau movement at the end of the century. The fluidity and asymmetry of these works had never been seen before, and was shocking to the bourgeoisie. These architects effected not only the future of architecture, but also of art— their influence can be seen in the paintings of Dali and Picasso. Most of the buildings that they erected in Paris still stand.
In the theatre, brazen actresses such as Polaire interpreted the works of Colette and other female writers who were not afraid speak of sensuality. Suddenly, it was not uncommon to see bare breasts on the stage. Mime was becoming increasingly popular. In the salons of Paris, Natalie Barney, the poet Rene Vivien, and other bored aristocrats put on their own elaborate theatrical revues. Barney and Vivien were lovers, and two of the leading proponents of the “lesbian chic” that swept across Paris in the 1890’s. Drug addiction was considered an artistic trait, and prostitution was romanticized by many male writers. Sewer rats became the trendiest pets to own.
Culturally speaking, the fin de siecle came to an end in 1905. Its excesses had burnt it out, but its influence would be felt in art and culture throughout the next century.
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