Jules Supervielle, a writer born in Montevideo in 1884, navigated a dual existence between France and Uruguay, bridging two linguistic worlds. Though his parents died before he reached his first birthday, he grew up across continents, eventually establishing himself as a significant figure in twentieth-century French literature through his poetry, novels, and plays.
Early Development and Literary Beginnings
Raised in Uruguay by his aunt and uncle, Supervielle began composing fables at the age of nine. He moved to Paris in 1894 and released his inaugural volume of verse, Brumes du passé, in 1901. By 1910, he completed his thesis regarding the perception of nature in Spanish-American poetry. His literary trajectory shifted following his service in the First World War, which ended in 1917.
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Supervielle garnered attention from figures like André Gide and Paul Valéry after publishing poetry in 1919. He maintained distance from the surrealist movement, rejecting automatic writing while integrating modern techniques. His 1922 collection, Débarcadères, and the 1923 novel, L'Homme de la pampa, established his reputation. In 1925, he released Gravitations, often cited as a cornerstone of the era. His creative output expanded to include short fantasies such as L'Enfant de la haute mer and dramas like La Belle au bois.
War and Post-War Recognition
During the Second World War, Supervielle faced health and financial instability, prompting a temporary return to Uruguay. He returned to France after the conflict to act as a cultural correspondent for the Uruguayan legation in Paris. His later work included the 1946 mythological collection, Orphée, and the 1951 autobiography, Boire à la source. In 1947, Jean Vilar directed his play Shéhérazade at the inaugural Avignon festival. He published his final poetry collection, Le Corps tragique, in 1959.
Awards and Legacy
Supervielle held the title of Officer of the Legion of Honour and earned the Heredia Prize in 1938, followed by the Grand prix de littérature de l'Académie française in 1955. Shortly before his death in Paris in 1960, he was named Prince des poètes. His influence persists through the Oloron-Sainte-Marie Jules-Supervielle Prize, established in 1990, and the 1996 publication of his complete poetic works in the Bibliothèque de La Pléiade.
Fast facts
- Born: 1884, Montevideo
- Died: 1960, 16th arrondissement of Paris
- Citizenship: Uruguay, France
- Occupations: writer, poet, playwright, translator, linguist, science fiction writer
- Heredia Prize: 1938
- Grand prix de littérature de l'Académie française: 1955
- Buried at: Oloron-Sainte-Marie
- Languages: French, Spanish
Questions readers ask
Did Jules Supervielle support the surrealists?
No, he opposed the surrealism movement and rejected the practice of automatic writing.
Was Jules Supervielle ever awarded a Nobel Prize?
He was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature three times.
Achievements
- Officer of the Legion of Honour
- Heredia Prize — 1938
