Charles Baudelaire

Charles Baudelaire was a 19th-century French poet and critic who profoundly influenced modern literature and art. He is best known for his collection "Les Fleurs du mal" ("The Flowers of Evil"), which explores beauty, decay, and the human experience. Baudelaire introduced the concept of "modernity," emphasizing the fleeting aspects of contemporary life and the aesthetic of urban existence. His work paved the way for Symbolism, a movement that values emotional resonance and suggestive imagery over literal interpretation. Baudelaire’s focus on complex emotions and the darker sides of beauty challenges traditional notions of aesthetics in literature and art.