These geniuses, misunderstood in their time
- Ariane Bilheran
- 2 days ago
- 8 min read
La Licorne (The Unicorn) n°35 by Ariane Bilheran, May 1, 2026.
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When we examine the history of literature and art, we find that many writers and artists, who are now considered visionaries, classics, and great minds (and whose works sometimes sell for exorbitant prices), did not achieve fame during their lifetimes. At best, they were reviled, rejected, scorned, humiliated, and even sometimes exiled; at worst, they ended their lives in poverty and utter anonymity. How can we understand such a gap?
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