“I loved the illusory colours of the vowels.”

Original: J’aimais les peintures idiotes, dessus de portes, décors, toiles de saltimbanques, enseignes, enluminures populaires. — Rimbaud recalls his attraction to unconventional visual culture outside established artistic hierarchies. · A Season in Hell, Alchemy of the Word, 1873 (French)

• Art
• Beauty
• Culture

“I have explored these regions and spent a year there, employed by a French commercial house.”

Original: Je suis resté un an dans ces contrées, en emploi dans une maison de commerce française. — Rimbaud describes his African experience in the practical language of work and exploration rather than literary adventure. · Letter to Ernest Delahaye, 18 January 1882 (French)

• Discovery
• Travel
• Work

“All ancient poetry leads to Greek poetry, harmonious life.”

Original: Toute poésie antique aboutit à la poésie grecque, Vie harmonieuse. — Rimbaud views Greek poetry as a high point of harmony before the later history of European verse. · Letter to Paul Demeny, 15 May 1871 (French)

• Greece
• Harmony
• Poetry