It has been said that Baudelaire did more than anyone in the nineteenth century to make men and women of
his century aware of themselves as moderns. This seminal essay is a standard text for understanding
modernism. Please think about the following questions. Baudelaire treats the obscure artist Constantin Guys
as the type of artist flaneur. What are the defining characteristics of this type? How is Guys the embodiment of
the "genius" as Baudelaire defines it? How does Baudelaire define modernity? Is this a phenomenon he claims
is new in human history or is it a recurring one? Why is it vital for the artist (or critics) to attend to the details,
the ephemera, of their own times? How does he characterize the "dandy"? How does this rare modern type
differ from the flaneur ? Why does he refer to an artist as an "eternal convalescent?" Why does he criticize
Ingres? Do you agree with Baudelaire?
Your answer must be at least 500 words in the form of an essay. Please remember to support your assertions
with direct quotes from the text. You will be graded on context as well as on presentation. Be mindful of your
grammar and spelling--and please edit your work. For this assignment you must respond to one of your
classmates. This is not an exercise where you provide a gratuitous compliment to one another student, but one
in which you engage in a dialogue. We are creating a sense of community in this assignment by sharing ideas,
and getting to know one another.
Please let me know if you have questions. Do not leave this assignment until the last moment. The reading is
challenging and you will need some time to digest the text.
Sample Solution