Renée Vivien was a woman ahead of her time. Born on this day June 11, 1877, she lived a life that was both beautiful and tragic. She was a poet, a novelist, and a lover of women. Her work was infused with a sense of longing and desire, and her words transported readers to a world of passion and sensuality. From her early days in Paris to her later years in Venice, Renée Vivien’s journey was a poetic one, filled with love, heartbreak, and a deep connection to the world around her.
The Parisian world of Renée Vivien
Renée Vivien moved to Paris in her early twenties, and it was there that she began to explore her love of poetry. She quickly became part of the bohemian artistic scene, where she mingled with the likes of Natalie Barney, Colette, and Djuna Barnes. Paris in the early 1900s was a city of artistic revolution, and Renée Vivien was at the forefront of this movement. She was heavily influenced by the Symbolist poets of the time, and her work reflected this in its exploration of beauty, emotion, and the mysteries of the human soul.
Renée Vivien’s poetry was often described as decadent, and it was this decadence that drew many readers to her work. Her poems were full of rich imagery, lush descriptions, and a deep sense of longing. She explored themes of love, desire, and passion, and her words were often tinged with a sense of sadness and melancholy. Despite the darkness that sometimes permeated her work, Renée Vivien’s poetry was also deeply sensual and erotic. She celebrated the female form in all its beauty, and her words were a celebration of love and desire.
The influence of Sapphic poetry on Renée Vivien
Renée Vivien’s poetry was heavily influenced by the Sapphic poets of ancient Greece. She was drawn to the idea of same-sex love, and her poetry often explored this theme in a way that was ahead of its time. She wrote openly about her own sexuality, something that was rare for a woman in the early 1900s. In her poetry, she celebrated the beauty of female love and desire, and her words were a testament to the power of the female spirit.
One of Renée Vivien’s most famous works is Sapho, a collection of Sappho’s poems which Vivien translated from Greek. In these poems, Renée Vivien explores the themes of love and desire that were so important to Sappho. She celebrates the beauty of same-sex love, and her translations are a tribute to the enduring power of female passion.
Renée Vivien’s travels to Venice
In the early 1900s, Renée Vivien moved to Venice, where she continued to write and explore her love of poetry. Venice was a city that captivated Renée Vivien, and it was here that she found the inspiration for some of her most beautiful and evocative poetry. She was drawn to the city’s beauty, its history, and its sense of mystery. She wrote about the canals, the bridges, and the winding streets, capturing the essence of this magical city in her words.
One of Renée Vivien’s most famous works, La Vénus des aveugles, the speaker imagines herself as one with the water of the lagoon, flowing out to the ocean. Like many of Vivien’s works, this play has a dark side, and ends with the speaker throwing herself into the lagoon to drown.
The legacy of Renée Vivien and her impact on modern poetry
Renée Vivien’s poetry has had a lasting impact on the literary world. Her work was ahead of its time, and it paved the way for many other writers to explore themes of same-sex love and desire. Her words were a celebration of the human spirit, and they continue to resonate with readers today.
Renée Vivien’s legacy can be seen in the work of many modern poets. Her influence can be felt in the work of writers like Adrienne Rich, Audre Lorde, and H.D. Her poetry paved the way for a new generation of writers, and it continues to inspire and captivate readers today.
Recommended works for exploring Renée Vivien’s poetry
If you’re interested in exploring Renée Vivien’s poetry, there are several works that are essential reading. Sapho and The Muse of Violets are two of her most famous works, and they are a great introduction to her poetry. A Woman Appeared to Me and The Woman of the Wolf and Other Stories are also must-reads, as they capture the essence of Renée Vivien’s writing in their exploration of themes of love, desire, and gender roles.
Renée Vivien’s unique voice in literature
Renée Vivien was a woman who defied convention and lived a life that was both beautiful and tragic. Her poetry continues to inspire and captivate readers today, and her legacy lives on in the work of many modern writers. Renée Vivien was a woman ahead of her time, and her words are a testament to the enduring power of love and desire. So let us celebrate her unique voice in literature, and let her poetry continue to inspire us for generations to come.
Roses Rising
My brunette with the golden eyes, your ivory body, your amber
Has left bright reflections in the room
Above the garden.
The clear midnight sky, under my closed lids,
Still shines….I am drunk from so many roses
Redder than wine.
Leaving their garden, the roses have followed me….
I drink their brief breath, I breathe their life.
All of them are here.
It’s a miracle….The stars have risen,
Hastily, across the wide windows
Where the melted gold pours.
Now, among the roses and the stars,
You, here in my room, loosening your robe,
And your nakedness glistens
Your unspeakable gaze rests on my eyes….
Without stars and without flowers, I dream the impossible
In the cold night.
-Renée Vivien
Curated by Jennifer
