David Foenkinos' 'Verso la bellezza' Explores Art as Consolation
David Foenkinos' novel 'Verso la bellezza' (Solferino, 2019) follows Antoine Duris, an art professor who becomes a guard at the Musée d'Orsay after a personal tragedy, seeking solace in Modigliani's works. The narrative intertwines with Camille, a student inspired by painter Charlotte Salomon, who uses art to heal from violence. Foenkinos, drawing from his own heart surgery at 16, argues that art can console and heal through aesthetic contemplation. The book was published in Milan in 2019.
Key facts
- David Foenkinos authored 'Verso la bellezza'.
- Published by Solferino in Milan, 2019.
- Protagonist Antoine Duris is a former art professor turned guard at Musée d'Orsay.
- Duris finds comfort in Modigliani's paintings.
- Character Camille echoes painter Charlotte Salomon.
- Foenkinos had heart surgery at age 16.
- The novel suggests art can heal through aesthetic experience.
- ISBN: 9788828201564, 256 pages, €18.
Entities
Artists
- David Foenkinos
- Amedeo Modigliani
- Jeanne Hébuterne
- Charlotte Salomon
- Antoine Duris
- Camille
- Théodore Géricault
- José Manuel Ballester
- Marco Enrico Giacomelli
Institutions
- Musée d'Orsay
- Accademia di Belle Arti
- Solferino Libri
- Artribune
- Accademia di Belle Arti di Lione
- Gallimard
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Milan
- Italy
- Lione