Blanqui's Cosmic Repetition: 'L'Éternité par les astres' Reissued
A new edition of Auguste Blanqui's 'L'Éternité par les astres', with a preface by Jacques Rancière, reframes the revolutionary's 1871 cosmological text. Written from his cell at Fort du Taureau in Morlaix Bay, Blanqui meditates on Laplace's astronomy, proposing that infinite space and eternal time produce 'doubles' (sosies)—identical worlds and selves repeating endlessly. The book, originally published in 1871, reveals a metaphysical and poetic vision akin to Borges. Blanqui, described by Tocqueville as emerging from a sewer and by Vallès as having violet skin, spent 37 of his 76 years imprisoned. This edition, published by Les impressions nouvelles, challenges his historical reputation as a 'tragic' figure, as judged by historian Georges Duveau.
Key facts
- Auguste Blanqui wrote 'L'Éternité par les astres' in 1871 from Fort du Taureau.
- The text was inspired by Pierre-Simon de Laplace's astronomy.
- Blanqui argues that infinite space and time produce identical repetitions or 'doubles'.
- Jacques Rancière wrote the preface for this new edition.
- Blanqui spent 37 years in prison out of his 76-year life.
- Tocqueville described Blanqui as looking like he lived in a sewer.
- Jules Vallès compared Blanqui's complexion to violet potatoes.
- Historian Georges Duveau considered Blanqui 'tragic'.
Entities
Artists
- Auguste Blanqui
- Jorge Luis Borges
Institutions
- Les impressions nouvelles
Locations
- Fort du Taureau
- Morlaix Bay
- France
Sources
- artpress —