Victor Hugo, an erotic portrait

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A superb portrait of Victor Hugo by Bonnat in his second floor apartment of Place des Vosges

A superb portrait of Victor Hugo by Léon Bonnat in his second floor apartment of Place des Vosges

We all know that Victor Hugo (1802-1885) is one of the greatest French writers and playwright, an ardent politician who had to go into exile to Guernesey after Napoléon III came to power in 1848. He was also a talented drawer and loved women. The exhibition in Hotel de Rohan-Guéménée, on place des Vosges where he lived for 16 years is great fun, very erotic and gives a good idea of the mid 19 th century artistic and intellectual connections. It could make for a good start of a romantic evening….

Camille-Jean-Baptiste Corot (1796-1875). "Marietta ou Odalisque Romaine, 1843". Musée des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris, Petit Palais.

Camille-Jean-Baptiste Corot (1796-1875). “Marietta ou Odalisque Romaine, 1843”. Musée des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris, Petit Palais.

After he passionately desired and married (both were virgins) Adèle Foucher in 1822, Victor Hugo found great pleasure in experimenting love in all ways. Juliette Drouet, Leonie Biard and Blanche Lanvin were his great loves. His life is excessive, passionate, that of an obsessed lover, his work is prude, serious, and love is platonic or fantasized until « Les Orientales » and « Hernani ». When he becomes an Academician and Pair de France, his private life turns more chaotic and he competes with his son for the favours of Alice Ozy.

Félicien Rops, La vrille, collection Mony VIbescu/photo Gilles Berquet

Félicien Rops, La vrille, collection Mony Vibescu/photo Gilles Berquet

The exhibition mixes James Pradier and Auguste Rodin statues with odalisks painted by Corot, Ingres and Achille Deveria. Photographs by Félix-Jacques-Antoine Moulin and Jules Vallou de Villeneuve are more explicit. But what I loved above all was a series of drawings of an octopus playing with a woman by Felicien Rops, only to be rivaled by « the dream of the fisherman’s wife » by Hokusai. Prince Mony Vibescu’s collection of erotic drawings is a large part of the third room and will amuse many of you. I wonder who is hiding under this pseudonym borrowed from Guillaume Apollinaire’s “Onze mille verges” heroe?

Victor Hugo, "Sub Clara Nuda Lucerna", maison de Victor Hugo.

Victor Hugo was also a good artist, “Sub Clara Nuda Lucerna”, maison de Victor Hugo.

Two short films of his plays « Angelo, tyran de Padoue » and « Lucrèce Borgia » gave me an excuse to sit down on one of the many fabulous little sofas of the « Maison de Victor Hugo ». On the second floor, a drawing room is reconstructed from photographs of his Guernesey house, and his bedroom is very poignant.

His bedroom as it was avenue d'Eylau where he died

His bedroom as it was avenue d’Eylau where he died

There is a triple reason to visit this exhibition : enter a beautiful house with a spectacular view of Places des Vosges, envision the19 th century world of Victor Hugo and have fun with erotic drawings… On November 18 th, the opening was packed even though Parisians have no desire to smile at the moment. Is eroticism cautioned by a serious writer the best medicine against anxiety ?

James Pradier, Stayre and Bacchante, Courtesy univers du bronze

James Pradier, Satyre and Bacchante, Courtesy Gallery Univers du bronze

(until February 21, 6 place des Vosges)

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