Jacques d'Adelswärd-Fersen was a controversial and complex figure in the French aristocracy of the early 20th century, whose personal affairs often overshadowed his literary work. Born in 1880 in Paris into a noble family, the writer lived in an era of significant social and cultural changes that deeply influenced both his life and his work.
Educated in the most prestigious institutions, he showed a keen literary sensitivity from a young age, embracing Symbolism and Decadence, popular literary movements at the time. His poetry and prose reflect a refined aesthetic and an intense stylistic search, characterized by elaborate language and themes aimed at exploring the self and transgressing moral and social boundaries.
His openly bisexual lifestyle and aesthetic choices soon led to scandals that undermined his reputation. In 1903, he was involved in a notorious scandal for immoral behavior with young students in Paris, an incident that led to a brief period of detention. This event deeply marked his life: condemned by public opinion, he decided to leave France.
Seeking refuge on the island of Capri, d'Adelswärd-Fersen bought Villa Lysis (later renamed Villa Fersen), which became a meeting place for intellectuals and artists of the time, including many representatives of the European homosexual movement. The villa, adorned in Neoclassical taste and enriched with symbols reflecting his interest in eroticism and decadent aesthetics, remains a symbol of his life and aspirations.
Despite the controversies, d'Adelswärd-Fersen's literary output should not be overlooked. Works like "Les Cortèges qui sont passés" and "Lord Lyllian" reveal an author capable of deep psychological introspection and extreme artistic sensitivity. His writing explores themes such as alienation, identity, and desire, often through the use of allegories and symbolism.
He died in 1923 on Capri, apparently from a cocaine overdose, leaving behind a literary legacy that, although obscured by his personal troubles, provides a fascinating glimpse into the French Belle Époque. His figure remains an example of how life and art can intertwine in complex and sometimes tragic ways, reflecting the tensions and conflicts of a changing era.
Language: English