The pulse of artistic life a century and a half ago, centered in Paris, is conveyed here fresh with the stamp of a sparking spirit. Insightful and bold, Baudelaire takes his personal stance on aesthetic issues and the major artistic movements of his time.

And, most importantly, this stance retains its relevance today, as it remains in constant connection with timeless sources of reflection for any thinking person: the role of criticism, the relationship of the artist to everyday life, the fundamental importance of imagination in the conception and execution of a significant work, the demarcation between art and philosophy, the dangers posed by the dominance of material criteria and technological advancement in modern life, are just some of the topics that Baudelaire grapples with, brilliantly providing stimuli for fertile thought.

[Excerpt from the text on the back cover of the edition]