ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Henri-Alexis Baatsch's Memoir of the Carboniferous Era

publication · 2026-04-24

Henri-Alexis Baatsch, born in 1948, has published a memoir titled "La Fin de la Société Carbonifère" with Seuil's "Fiction & Cie" collection. The book revisits his childhood and youth, set against the backdrop of the waning Carboniferous Society. Reviewed in artpress no. 435 (July-August 2016, p. 84), the work is described as an "Autoportrait en grisaille" — a self-portrait in grisaille. The title references the Carboniferous period, evoking themes of fossil fuels and industrial decline.

Key facts

  • Henri-Alexis Baatsch was born in 1948.
  • His book is titled 'La Fin de la Société Carbonifère'.
  • Published by Seuil in the 'Fiction & Cie' collection.
  • The book is a memoir of his childhood and youth.
  • It is set during the end of the Carboniferous Society.
  • Reviewed in artpress no. 435, July-August 2016, page 84.
  • The review calls it an 'Autoportrait en grisaille'.
  • The title references the Carboniferous geological period.

Entities

Artists

  • Henri-Alexis Baatsch

Institutions

  • Seuil
  • artpress

Sources