# Jules de Goncourt

> French writer (1830–1870)

**Wikidata**: [Q1234248](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1234248)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jules_de_Goncourt)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/jules-de-goncourt

## Summary
Jules de Goncourt was a French writer (1830–1870) best known as one half of the Goncourt brothers, a literary duo who co-authored novels, diaries, and art criticism. Alongside his brother Edmond, he co-founded the prestigious Prix Goncourt, France’s most celebrated literary award, which continues to honor outstanding French literature annually.

## Biography
- **Born**: December 17, 1830 (alternative dates: December 19, 1830, or 1830)
- **Died**: June 20, 1870
- **Nationality**: French
- **Education**: Lycée Condorcet (public school in Paris, France)
- **Known for**: Co-authoring literary works, diaries, and art criticism with his brother Edmond de Goncourt; co-founding the Prix Goncourt
- **Employer(s)**: *Le Figaro* (French daily newspaper)
- **Field(s)**: Writing, literature, art history, literary criticism, journalism

## Contributions
Jules de Goncourt, alongside his brother Edmond, made significant contributions to French literature and culture:
- **Literary Works**: Co-authored novels such as *Germinie Lacerteux* (1865), a naturalist novel that explored the life of a Parisian servant, and *Manette Salomon* (1867), which delved into the art world of 19th-century Paris.
- **Diaries**: Collaborated on the *Journal des Goncourt*, a detailed diary that provided insights into the literary, artistic, and social circles of Second Empire France. The journal remains a valuable historical document.
- **Art Criticism**: Wrote extensively about art and artists, contributing to the development of art history as a discipline. Their critiques were published in *Le Figaro* and other prominent outlets.
- **Prix Goncourt**: Co-founded the Prix Goncourt in 1903 (posthumously established by Edmond), which became one of France’s most prestigious literary awards, recognizing exceptional French-language literature annually.

## FAQs
**Who were the Goncourt brothers?**
Jules and Edmond de Goncourt were French writers and literary collaborators known for their novels, diaries, and art criticism. Together, they formed a significant literary partnership in 19th-century France.

**What is the Prix Goncourt?**
The Prix Goncourt is a French literary prize established in 1903 by Edmond de Goncourt in honor of his brother Jules. It is awarded annually to the best and most imaginative prose work in French.

**What are Jules de Goncourt’s most famous works?**
Jules de Goncourt co-authored several notable works with his brother, including the novels *Germinie Lacerteux* (1865) and *Manette Salomon* (1867), as well as the *Journal des Goncourt*, a detailed diary of their contemporaries and cultural observations.

**Where did Jules de Goncourt receive his education?**
Jules de Goncourt attended the Lycée Condorcet, a prestigious public school in Paris, France, which was founded in 1803.

**What was Jules de Goncourt’s role at *Le Figaro*?**
Jules de Goncourt contributed as a writer and literary critic to *Le Figaro*, a leading French daily newspaper, where he and his brother published art critiques and other literary works.

## Why They Matter
Jules de Goncourt’s collaboration with his brother Edmond significantly influenced French literature and art criticism. Their works, particularly *Germinie Lacerteux* and *Manette Salomon*, are considered foundational texts in the naturalist movement, which sought to depict life with unflinching realism. The *Journal des Goncourt* provides an invaluable record of 19th-century French society, offering insights into the lives of artists, writers, and politicians of the time.

The establishment of the Prix Goncourt ensured their lasting legacy in French literature. The award has become a cornerstone of French literary culture, promoting and preserving high-quality prose writing. Their contributions to art criticism also helped shape the field of art history, influencing how art was analyzed and appreciated in their era and beyond.

## Notable For
- Co-authoring *Germinie Lacerteux* (1865), a pioneering naturalist novel.
- Co-authoring *Manette Salomon* (1867), a novel exploring the Parisian art world.
- Collaborating on the *Journal des Goncourt*, a detailed diary of 19th-century French society.
- Co-founding the Prix Goncourt, France’s most prestigious literary award.
- Contributing to *Le Figaro* as a literary critic and writer.
- Influencing the naturalist movement in literature.
- Providing historical insights through their diaries and critiques.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Jules de Goncourt was born on December 17, 1830 (with alternative records suggesting December 19, 1830, or simply 1830). He grew up in France and attended the Lycée Condorcet, a renowned public school in Paris founded in 1803. The Lycée Condorcet was known for its rigorous academic environment and produced many notable figures in French literature and politics.

### Literary Career
Jules de Goncourt’s literary career was deeply intertwined with that of his brother Edmond. Together, they formed one of the most notable literary partnerships of 19th-century France. Their collaborative works included novels, diaries, and art criticism, which were widely regarded for their realism and detailed observations of contemporary society.

#### Novels
- **Germinie Lacerteux (1865)**: This novel is considered one of the first examples of literary naturalism. It tells the story of Germinie, a servant whose life spirals into poverty and despair. The novel was groundbreaking for its unflinching portrayal of the lower classes and its rejection of romantic idealism.
- **Manette Salomon (1867)**: This novel explores the art world of Paris, blending fiction with real-life figures from the artistic community. It is noted for its detailed descriptions of the bohemian lifestyle and the challenges faced by artists.

#### Diaries
The *Journal des Goncourt* is a multi-volume diary that the brothers maintained throughout their lives. It serves as a rich historical document, offering insights into the literary, artistic, and political circles of Second Empire France. The journal includes observations on prominent figures such as Gustave Flaubert, Émile Zola, and Charles Baudelaire, as well as detailed accounts of daily life and cultural events.

### Art Criticism and Journalism
Jules de Goncourt and his brother were also influential art critics. They contributed regularly to *Le Figaro*, a leading French newspaper, where they published reviews and essays on contemporary art. Their critiques were known for their depth and perceptiveness, and they played a role in shaping public opinion on the art of their time.

### Legacy and the Prix Goncourt
Jules de Goncourt’s untimely death in 1870 cut short his literary career, but his legacy endured through the efforts of his brother Edmond. In 1903, Edmond established the Prix Goncourt in Jules’ honor. The award was designed to recognize the best in French literature and has since become one of the most prestigious literary prizes in the French-speaking world.

The Prix Goncourt is awarded annually by the Académie Goncourt, a literary society founded by Edmond. Winners of the prize have included some of the most celebrated authors in French literature, such as Marcel Proust, André Gide, and Simone de Beauvoir.

### Influence on Literature and Art
The Goncourt brothers’ work had a profound impact on the development of naturalism in literature. Their emphasis on realism and detailed observation influenced later writers, including Émile Zola, who is often credited with fully realizing the naturalist movement. Their diaries also provided a model for later literary journals, demonstrating how personal and cultural observations could be woven into a broader narrative of society.

In the field of art criticism, their writings helped to elevate the status of art criticism as a serious discipline. Their reviews in *Le Figaro* and other publications contributed to the public’s understanding and appreciation of contemporary art, particularly the works of the Impressionists and other avant-garde movements.

### Personal Life and Death
Jules de Goncourt’s personal life was closely tied to his brother Edmond. The two were inseparable collaborators, and their partnership extended beyond literature into their daily lives. Jules’ health declined in the late 1860s, and he died on June 20, 1870. His death was a significant loss to Edmond, who continued their literary projects and ensured that their joint legacy endured through the establishment of the Prix Goncourt.

### Cultural and Historical Significance
The Goncourt brothers’ contributions to French literature and culture are widely recognized. Their works are studied for their literary innovation, historical value, and influence on subsequent generations of writers and artists. The Prix Goncourt remains a testament to their enduring impact, celebrating excellence in French literature and preserving their legacy for future generations.

Their diaries, in particular, are invaluable to historians and literary scholars, offering a firsthand account of the cultural and social dynamics of 19th-century France. Through their writings, Jules and Edmond de Goncourt captured the essence of their time, leaving behind a rich and enduring body of work.

## References

1. Source
2. AGORHA
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. BnF authorities
5. RKDartists
6. The Fine Art Archive
7. Library of the World's Best Literature
8. Dictionary of Art Historians
9. Find a Grave
10. archINFORM
11. CiNii Research
12. Jules de Goncourt. RKDartists
13. Jules de Goncourt. Benezit Dictionary of Artists
14. SNAC
15. GeneaStar
16. Roglo
17. Babelio
18. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
19. [Source](http://digitale.beic.it/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?fn=search&vid=BEIC&vl%283134987UI0%29=creator&vl%28freeText0%29=Goncourt%20Jules%20de)
20. [Source](https://www.bartleby.com/library/bios/index3.html)
21. BabelNet
22. Union List of Artist Names. 2013
23. Jules de Goncourt (1830-1870) | Open Library. Open Library
24. [Source](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiarch.php)
25. LIBRIS. 2012