Henry Chapront (1876-1965), ‘La Possession’, from “Là-Bas” (The Damned) by
Henry Chapront (1876-1965), ‘La Possession’, from “Là-Bas” (The Damned) by J.K. Huysmans, 1924“In 19th century Paris, with its preoccupations with sexuality, death, and evil, no figure cut a more sensual and diabolical presence than that of Hyacinthe Chantelouve, the fictional femme fatale and satanic initiatrix of J.K. Huysmans‘ novel, Là-Bas. Madame Chantelouve was the dark reflection of the emancipated “New Woman.” She seemed to represent in equal parts all that traditional society feared, yet secretly desired. A divorcee, living openly in a polyamorous relationship, she sexually pursued men without reservation and relished in enacting the most ornate of blasphemies through her involvement with the Parisian Satanic underground. In the novel it is Mme Chantelouve who serves as the guide for the narrator’s descent into the depths of the occult demimonde. So influential was the character of Madame Chantelouve that she became something of an aspirational figure among those women who sought to foster a more sinister allure.”Source: http://www.dirgemag.com/flowers-evil-satanic-feminists-bohemian-paris-part-1-berthe-de-courriere/ -- source link
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