What use are poets in times of need? In this verse, taken from the work «Bread and wine» (1800) Hölderlin deplores the breakdown of the ancient times between gods and men and affirms that only the poet (and not the philosopher) is able to pronounce a truth concerning not only the men of his time but also those of the future. Like many young people of his generation, he trusted in a revolution that brought about a radical change in the way of living and thinking. It is a message for nowadays in which men get lost in vain discussions, in which the gods are silent and the Earth is no longer in harmony with Heaven.
«Les Heures Contées» collection
French text by Hölderlin (extract from «Pain et vin», 1800). Etching on two copper plates by André Beuchat, edition run by the author on a chalcographic press. Text composed in Helvetica movable type.
Dimension: 200mm x 85mm (base x height). Black cover printed with wooden types on a vertical press.
Edition in fifty signed and numbered copies 1/50 - 50/50 + 5 copies out-of-print signed and numbered I / V - V / V.
