author
Paul de Saint-Victor
1827–1881
A vivid French critic and essayist of the 19th century, remembered for bringing theater, art, and literature to life with a rich, dramatic style. His writing helped shape cultural journalism in Paris and still carries the energy of a passionate observer.
1 Audiobook
Les Dieux et les Demi-Dieux de la Peinture
by Théophile Gautier, Arsène Houssaye, Paul de Saint-Victor
About the author
Born in Paris on July 11, 1827, Paul de Saint-Victor was a French author, essayist, and critic. He wrote under the name Paul de Saint-Victor and became known for literary, theatrical, and art criticism, building a reputation as one of the notable cultural voices of his time.
He came from a literary family: his father, Jacques Bins de Saint-Victor, was also a man of letters. Saint-Victor first gained attention through regular criticism of the stage and the annual art exhibitions, and he was especially admired for a highly colored, eloquent prose style that made criticism feel vivid and dramatic.
He died in Paris on July 9, 1881. Although he is less widely read today than some of his contemporaries, he remains an interesting figure in French literary history and is still remembered as a sharp, stylish commentator on 19th-century culture.