The Flowers of Evil

Les fleurs du mal, or The Flowers of Evil, is a significant collection of French poetry by Charles Baudelaire, first published in 1857, that explores themes of decadence and eroticism. Dedicated to poet Théophile Gautier, the work faced legal challenges for its provocative content, resulting in a fine for Baudelaire and the suppression of six poems until 1949. Celebrated for its impact on the symbolist and modernist movements, the collection has been praised by literary figures such as Victor Hugo, who recognized its groundbreaking contribution to literature.