Jean Lorrain

Jean Lorrain, born Paul Alexandre Martin Duval on 9 August 1855 in Fécamp, Seine-Maritime, was a prominent figure in the Symbolist literary movement. As a poet, novelist, librettist, playwright, and journalist, he made significant contributions to French literature during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Lorrain was known for his dedication to dandyism and spent much of his time mingling within the vibrant artistic circles of France, particularly in the lively cafés and bars of Montmartre.

His literary output includes a variety of works, such as the poetry collections La forêt bleue (1883) and L'ombre ardente (1897). Lorrain is also celebrated for his Decadent novels and short stories, including Monsieur de Phocas (1901), Monsieur de Bougrelon (1897), and Histoires des masques (1900). One of his most notable stories, Sonyeuse, was inspired by portraits exhibited by Antonio de La Gándara in 1893. Additionally, he penned the libretto for Pierre de Bréville's opera Éros vainqueur, which premiered in 1910.

Openly gay, Lorrain embraced his identity and often referenced ancient Greece as a noble heritage for homosexuality, earning him the moniker