Sergio Luzzatto's Book Explores the Life of Marchese Antoine de Morès and 19th Century Social Contexts

Sergio Luzzatto's new publication examines the complex trajectory of Marchese Antoine de Morès, whose late 19th century journey spanned from America to Southeast Asia. The work details his experiences with illusions and failures, marked by escalating antisemitic hatred and violence. It also analyzes the surrounding social and cultural ferment of post-revolutionary France during the Second Empire. The book explores a renewed aristocratic society characterized by worldly vanity, variety shows, and various pleasures. It investigates the emergence of modern consumer society, communications, and fashion trends. Simultaneously, it examines an insecure bourgeoisie that felt threatened by workers' movements and cyclical economic crises. This class increasingly clung to order and property defense. The publication was discussed by Anita Romanello on April 17, 2026.