Monsieur le Six

During Donatien Alphonse François de Sade’s captivity in the depths of Vincennes prison from 1777 to 1784, a mocking nickname reverberated through the dark and damp corridors: ‘Monsieur le Six’.

Given by his guards, it mockingly referred to cell number 6 where de Sade was confined. This book is the tangible manifestation of a former online project that existed under the same name from 1997 to 2005. The website served as both a community hub and a comprehensive research platform, documenting a substantial portion of the life and world that enveloped the ‘Divine Marquis’.

However, this (limited) book does not seek to unravel the intricate tapestry of the notorious Marquis de Sade’s personal life, nor does it aim to dissect his literary legacy.

Instead, it endeavours to illuminate the world that enveloped the enigmatic Marquis – a world shaped by shifting forms of governance. From the decadent and perverse Ancien Régime, to the upheaval of Revolutionary France, and ultimately the emergence of the Napoleonic empire, how did de Sade navigate these turbulent seas? What influence did the ‘Age of Enlightenment’ (also known as the ‘Age of Reason’) wield over his life, and how did the subsequent waves of romanticism and realism shape his perspective?

In this concise yet comprehensive reference work, we embark on a journey through time, capturing the essence of the contemporary upheavals that violently coloured de Sade’s world... bloodred.