Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Les Saints Nouveaux" by John Updike is a thought-provoking and vividly descriptive poem that pays homage to three renowned figures in the arts: Marcel Proust, Constantin Brâncuși, and Paul Cézanne. Each of these artists is depicted as a modern saint, each immersed in their unique form of creative asceticism and spiritual exploration through their work.

Marcel Proust: The poem begins with Proust, who is famously known for his introspective and monumental work “In Search of Lost Time”. Updike imagines him "doing penance in a cork-lined room," a reference to Proust's real-life retreat into a soundproofed room where he spent years writing his magnum opus. This setting reflects both physical isolation and intense introspective journey. Proust is depicted as "numbering the petals in the orchards of doom," suggesting a meticulous and almost obsessive exploration of beauty amidst the awareness of mortality. The phrase "sighed through the vortex of his own strained breath" captures the deep, personal struggle in Proust's work, culminating in the "wonderfully abundant perfume called Death." This line eloquently ties Proust’s preoccupation with memory, time, and the inevitability of death.

Constantin Brâncuși: The second stanza shifts focus to Brâncuși, a sculptor known for his streamlined, modernist works. Updike portrays him as "an anchorite among rough shapes," suggesting his solitary and meditative approach to art. Brâncuși’s sculptures, described as rough shapes that he "blessed each with his eyes until like grapes / they popped, releasing kernels of motion," metaphorically transform into living entities under his gaze. This transformation speaks to the spiritual and almost miraculous process of artistic creation, wherein inanimate materials are imbued with life and motion.

Paul Cézanne: The final stanza is devoted to Cézanne, whose meticulous and revolutionary approach to painting landscapes and still lifes redefined the boundaries of the medium. Described as a "grave man" who "pondered the scene," Cézanne’s methodical and passionate vision is highlighted by his perception of the world in vibrant colors — "as orange and green." Updike notes that Cézanne "weighted his strokes with days of decision," emphasizing the deliberate and contemplative nature of his technique. The phrase "founded on apples theologies of vision" brilliantly encapsulates Cézanne's ability to elevate simple subjects, like apples, to profound meditations on perception, painting, and the act of seeing.

Overall, "Les Saints Nouveaux" uses rich imagery and thoughtful metaphors to celebrate the artistic and almost religious devotion of these figures to their crafts. Updike presents each artist as a saint of modern art, each engaged in a deep, almost mystical dialogue with the essence of life and death, form and beauty. The poem itself is a beautifully crafted tribute to the transformative power of art and the enduring legacies of these artists.

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