André Breton revives the eccentric poet Xavier Forneret.
"This eccentric, who adopted the nickname 'The Black Man,' led an exceptional life, as bizarre and extraordinary as the creations that sprang from his mind."
3.000€
"This eccentric, who adopted the nickname 'The Black Man,' led an exceptional life, as bizarre and extraordinary as the creations that sprang from his mind."
3.000€
André Breton (1896.1966)
Autograph manuscript – Xavier Forneret.
Seven pages (four quarto and three octavo) in green ink on onion skin paper.
Slnd.
"This eccentric, who adopted the nickname 'The Black Man,' led an exceptional life, as bizarre and extraordinary as the creations that sprang from his mind."
Breton brings Forneret back to life. Working notes by André Breton dissecting the biography, literature, and eccentricities of Xavier Forneret. Breton copies some passages from the famous Figaro article devoted to L'Homme noir by Charles Monselet, as well as passages from various works by the writer.
_____________________________________________________
This eccentric, who had adopted the nickname "The Black Man," made an exceptional existence for himself, as bizarre and extraordinary as the productions that sprang from his mind. Contemporary biography has paid very little attention to him, for we know him only through the interesting and intriguing notes devoted to him by Ch. Monselet and the "Revue anecdotique." We have not read the article in "Le Figaro" dated July 26, 1859. […] Strange things are said about him, which make his bourgeois and provincial life seem suspicious to his compatriots. […]
He wanted to present a five-act prose drama entitled *The Black Man* at the theater; the first performance took place in the city streets, thanks to the author's wealth. The day before the performance, he had halberdiers and medieval heralds parade noisily, waving banners emblazoned with the play's title. The next day, spectators flocked to the theater, but the play was met with a noisy outcry from the audience. This failure did not prevent Forneret from having his drama printed, which he had covered with a symbolic flyleaf, its white lettering standing out against a black background. From that day forward, he adopted the play's title and signed several volumes with this pseudonym.
_____________________________________________________
It is to André Breton and the Surrealist group that we owe the posterity of the eccentric writer from Beaune, Xavier Forneret. Considered one of the precursors of the movement, Breton called him an " honorary Surrealist " .