CHENIER ANDRE: (1762-1794) French Poet of Greek origin. A precursor of the Romantic movement. Chenier was ...

CHENIER ANDRE: (1762-1794) French Poet of Greek origin. A precursor of the Romantic movement. Chenier was guillotined at the early age of 31. Very rare A.L., by André Chenier, two pages, 8vo, n.p., n.d., in French. The cleanly and carefully written text being a poem, part of his work L´Amerique, one of his last unfinished works, intending to write about the explorations which leaded to the discovery of the New World, describing the people and customs of the American native people. Chenier states in part `Magellan, fils du Tage, et de Drake et Bougainville - Et l´Anglais don't Neptune aux plus lointains climats - Reconnaissait la voile et respectait les pas. - Le Cancer sous les feux de son brulant tropique - L´attire entre l´Asie et la vaste Amerique - En des ports ou jadis il entra le premier…´ André Chenier´s name is written at the base in an unknown hand. The autograph page has been neatly laid down and matted allowing both sides lecture. Overall age wear, otherwise G £2000-3000 At the request of Malesherbes, the defense counsel to King Louis XVI, Chénier provided some arguments for the King's defense. After the King´s execution Chenier sought a secluded retreat at Versailles. He was arrested at Passy by two agents of the Committee of Public Safety who were in search of a Marquise but only found a stranger who they imprisoned on suspicion of being the aristocrat they were searching for. Chenier had only come on a visit. Chénier was one of the last people executed by Robespierre who was himself seized and executed only three days later. Chénier's life was the subject of Umberto Giordano´s opera Andrea Chenier (1896). Pushkin wrote a poem based on Chenier last hours.