“Sac à Tout de Séverine, récit-photo pour enfants en 1903”, dans la revue “Contemporary French Civilization”

Mon article sur le livre de Séverine est publié dans le   dans Vol 43.2 (2018) de la revue Contemporary French Civilization : https://online.liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/abs/10.3828/cfc.2018.14

“En 1898, le journal Le Mercure de France présente les résultats d’une enquête sur le livre illustré par la photographie. Sollicitée, Séverine répondra : « Je suis contre, et de toutes mes forces ; c’est horrible ! ». Cinq années plus tard paraît chez l’éditeur Félix Juven, à Paris, Sac-à-Tout, un livre pour enfants illustré de photographies, signé Séverine.

Cet article se propose d’analyser, sous le champ des études photolittéraires, l’inscription de cet ouvrage dans les productions de récits-photo, qui connurent un moment d’apogée entre 1890 et 1910. Il s’agira de mettre en lumière les contradictions qu’il semble contenir, entre recherche de la modernité, avec cet usage de la photographie, et inscription dans la tradition de l’art du livre. Il s’interrogera aussi sur cette réponse pleine de virulence d’une figure marquante de la société du tournant du vingtième siècle, la journaliste et écrivain Séverine.

A 1898 article of the French newspaper “Le Mercure de France” has presented the results of a survey about books illustrated by photography. The French journalist and author Severine has answered “Je suis contre et de toutes mes forces, c’est horrible!” Five years later, she has published Sac à Tout, a phototext for children.

In this study, we will analyze that book under the light of thinkers of relation between literature and photographs. Indeed, this book belongs to this production called photography illustrated books which saw one of their finest moments from 1890 until 1910. This paper will analyze first the apparent contradictions between modern techniques, such as photography, and the art book and the old tradition. Although Severine, a major figure of the society at the turn of the twentieth century seemed to reject photography, we will then try to understand why she has evolved.”

Le site de la revue : https://online.liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/loi/cfc

“Contemporary French Civilization, a journal devoted to all aspects of civilization and cultural studies in France and the Francophone world, has been published by Liverpool University Press since 2011 and will be publishing 4 issues a year as of 2016.

Now in its fortieth year, CFC continues to provide an informative and stimulating interdisciplinary forum for scholars wishing to share their knowledge and insights with a broad, diversified audience.

The journal publishes articles, essays, and notes; book reviews of the latest works of interest; and information on the arts and a variety of aspects of French and Francophone cultures.”

---

---