Bohemians: A Very Short Introduction

The Romantic myth of Bohemia originated in the early nineteenth century as a way of describing the new conditions faced by artists and writers when the previous system of aristocratic patronage collapsed. It has been traced through various fictional manifestations, including Henry Murger's novel Scenes of Bohemian Life (1851) and Giacomo Puccini's opera La Bohème (1896). It also examines the history of different bohemian communities, including those in the Latin Quarter of Paris, the Schwabing section of Munich, and the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York. David Weir concludes with a discussion of the legacy of Bohemia today as something outworn and dying, an exhausted tradition that somehow continues.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 22 June 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

The Romantic myth of Bohemia emerged in the early 19th century, serving as a way to describe the new challenges faced by artists and writers after the collapse of the aristocratic patronage system during the Age of Revolution. With the patronage system dismantled, artists were now free to roam and seek audiences wherever fortune led them. This marketing model, which likened the artist's vagabond lifestyle to that of a gypsy, contributed to the perpetuation of the bohemian myth. However, it is important to note that not all bohemians were itinerant, and many were primarily interested in pursuing artistic endeavors without the pursuit of commercial gain.

Most bohemians resided in down-market urban neighborhoods where rent was affordable and morals were more relaxed. This Very Short Introduction explores the myth of Bohemia through its various fictional representations, ranging from Henry Murger's novel Scenes of Bohemian Life (1851) and Giacomo Puccini's opera La Bohème (1896) to Aki Kaurismäki's film La vie de Bohème (1992) and Jonathan Larson's musical Rent (1996). It delves into the history of different bohemian communities, such as the Latin Quarter of Paris, the Schwabing section of Munich, and the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York. David Weir also examines the politics of Bohemia and traces the careers of artists like Gustave Courbet, Pablo Picasso, and great chanteuses like Yvette Guilbert, Fréhel, and Edith Piaf in the Montmartre neighborhood of Paris, where a rich tradition of popular culture was indebted to Bohemia.

Weir concludes his exploration by discussing the legacy of Bohemia today, acknowledging that it has become something outworn and dying, an exhausted tradition that somehow continues to persist. Despite its decline, Bohemia remains a symbol of artistic freedom and creativity, inspiring generations of artists and writers to pursue their passions without fear of societal constraints.

Weight: 136g
Dimension: 111 x 174 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197538296