Edmond de Goncourt

Edmond de Goncourt was a multifaceted French intellectual of the 19th century.

He served as a writer, literary critic, art critic, and book publisher. Beyond these individual roles, he was a significant figure in the preservation of art history. He is most famous for founding the Académie Goncourt. This institution ensures that high-quality literature continues to be recognized in France. His life was defined by a deep passion for aesthetics and the written word.

Edmond often worked in close collaboration with his brother, Jules de Goncourt. Together, they produced various works of art criticism and several novels. They also founded a notorious journal in 1851 called the Journal des Goncourt. This journal served as a detailed record of their thoughts and observations. One of their most significant literary achievements was the novel Germinie Lacerteux, published in 1865. This book is recognized as an early example of French Realism. It was notable for its focus on the lives of the working class.

The brothers' creative process often drew from their immediate surroundings. For instance, Germinie Lacerteux was inspired by the actions of their housekeeper, Rose. Their artistic interests extended into the realm of art history and collecting. Between 1856 and 1875, they published a series of essays titled L'Art du XVIIIe siècle. This collection aimed to revive public appreciation for the Rococo style. Rococo is a decorative and lighthearted style of art from the 18th century. They also maintained a home in Auteuil, purchased in 1868, to house their collections.

Edmond's personal history shaped his professional freedom. He was born in Nancy on May 26, 1822, to minor aristocrats. His father, Marc-Pierre Huot de Goncourt, was a former cavalry officer in Napoleon I's Grande Armée. Edmond studied rhetoric and philosophy at the Lycée Condorcet from 1840 to 1842. He then studied law from 1842 to 1844. Following his mother's death in 1848, Edmond and Jules inherited an income. This wealth allowed them to leave unhappy jobs, such as Edmond's role as a treasury clerk.

Edmond's solo career flourished after Jules died in 1870. He completed several unfinished collaborative projects, such as a monograph on Paul Gavarni in 1873. He also released L'Amour au XVIIIe Siècle in 1875. His interests in art remained diverse, ranging from 18th-century French art to Japanese art. He documented his home and its many treasures in his 1881 book, La Maison d'un Artiste. His final novel, Chérie, was published in 1884. This work explored impressionistic art through the lens of fashion.

Edmond was a man of intense and sometimes difficult emotions. He felt great jealousy toward successful contemporaries like Émile Zola and Guy de Maupassant. He recorded these feelings in the Journal des Goncourt, which he wrote until just 12 days before his death. In 1893, he wrote scathing remarks about Maupassant's physical appearance and social standing. Despite these personal tensions, his dedication to the literary world remained absolute. He spent his later years managing the nine volumes of the Journal that were issued between 1887 and 1896.

The legacy of Edmond de Goncourt is institutionalized through his final bequest. He left his entire estate to establish and maintain the Académie Goncourt. In memory of his brother Jules, the Academy awards the Prix Goncourt every December. This prize was established in 1903 and remains the most prestigious literary award in France. It is granted to the best work of imaginary prose each year. Edmond died in Champrosay in 1896 and was buried in the Cimetière de Montmartre in Paris. His life's work continues to influence how French literature is valued today.