Victor Hugo is an emblematic figure in the history of French letters in the 19th century. A playwright, poet, writer, novelist and romantic cartoonist, he was also a political figure and was senator and deputy. He was a lyric poet but also a very committed one, as shown by his satirical collection, Les Châtiments (1853), written in exile, against Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte. Hugo enjoyed great popular success, with his novels Notre Dame de Paris and Les Misérables. The artist's work engages social reflection, whether on class struggles, misery or human dignity. He also took part in the renewal of the theatre, laying the foundations of romantic drama, notably with his play Hernani.
