About
Henri Michaux was born in Namur, Belgium. After abandoning medical studies, he joined the merchant marine and traveled in Asia and South America. Settling in Paris in 1924, he became a French citizen in 1955. His first poetry collection, 'Qui je fus', appeared in 1927. He is also known for his travelogues, such as 'Ecuador' and 'A Barbarian in Asia', and for his character Plume, a hapless anti-hero. From 1927 onward, he also devoted himself to drawing and painting, exploring asemic writing and abstraction. He experimented with mescaline and LSD, chronicling these experiences in 'Misérable Miracle'. He refused all official honors, including the Grand Prix National des Lettres in 1965. He died in Paris in 1984.
* 1899-05-24 — † 1984-10-19
Major works
- Qui je fus (1927)poetry
- Ecuador (1929)travelogue
- Un Barbare en Asie (1932)travelogue
- Misérable Miracle (1956)essay
Key milestones
- 1924Settles in Paris.
- 1937First painting exhibition.
- 1955Becomes a French citizen.
Themes
travelinner experiencewriting and paintingthe absurddrugs and consciousness
Sources: britannica.com · production-gcp.moma.org · getty.edu