Charles Baudelaire has played a significant role in modern art and culture. He came up with the word modernity and emphasized the importance on why art has to capture the experience of urban life. In 'The Painter of Modern life', an essay by Baudelaire, he highlighted important points such as originality by analyzing the ways and art of a man known as Monsieur C. G.
Baudelaire argues that art and culture should not borrow too from much on the past. He emphasized the importance of originality. He did so by looking at M. G.’s desire to remain anonymous, yet people still recognized his works. In his argument, he emphasized on the need for curiosity in art and culture. He clearly distinguished an artist from a man of the world. An artist lives in a world of morals and politics; he does not know what goes on in surrounding other than his cocoon, and Baudelaire criticizes him (Gaiger et al. 494). As the man of the world, curiosity should be the drive in art and culture (Gaiger et al. 494). Baudelaire also emphasized the importance of a lack of need for approval and a lack of ulterior motives. Baudelaire argues that art and culture should borrow all these from M.G. curiosity, originality, interest, passion, and modesty. He further points out that fashion should be the leading indicator in modernism (Gaiger et al. 502).
In the essay, there are important points that support his argument. Anonymity not signing his work yet people recognized the works when they saw it, emphasizes on originality (Gaiger et al. 495). The successful nature of M.G. because of the attributes he holds supports Baudelaire’s argument. Talking about fashion and cosmetics stressed on his desire for modernity in art and culture (Gaiger et al. 503). Women and prostitutes further emphasize this point. Just like the prostitute who is free and liberated and thus embraces fashion and cosmetics, art should also be artificial. According to him, art should not be like a woman who sees the need to reflect his husband’s position but should have interest and explore the world just like the prostitute (Gaiger et al. 505).
Works Cited
Gaiger, Jason, Charles Harrison, and Paul Wood, eds. Art in theory, 1815-1900: an anthology of changing ideas. Blackwell Publishers, 1998.
