The History and Significance of the "Qu'hier Que Demain" Pendant

The Meaning and History Behind the "Qu'hier Que Demain" Pendant

The "qu'hier que demain" pendant has a poetic and romantic meaning in French. The phrase translates to "more than yesterday, less than tomorrow." It comes from a love poem written in the late 1800s by Rosemonde Gérard to her husband Edmond Rostand.

Rosemonde Gérard was a French poet and playwright who lived from 1871 to 1953. She had a writing partnership and marriage with Edmond Rostand, the renowned author of the play Cyrano de Bergerac. Together they epitomized the artistic ideal of "les dilettantes du bonheur" or "dilettantes of happiness."

The Origins of the "Qu'hier Que Demain" Quote

In 1898, Edmond Rostand gifted Rosemonde Gérard a pendant made by French jeweler Henri Auguste. Auguste was known for his Art Nouveau jewels featuring poetic inscriptions.

Rostand commissioned Auguste to create a pendant featuring the phrase "Qu'hier Que Demain." This came from a love poem Gérard had written for Rostand titled "Plus que Hier et Moins que Demain" ("More than Yesterday and Less than Tomorrow").

The full verse from Gérard's poem reads:

Plus qu'hier et moins que demain
Entre mes mains frêles je sens
Ton cœur qui bat comme tu m'aimes
Doucement

More than yesterday and less than tomorrow
Between my frail hands I feel
Your heart beating as you love me
Gently

The poem expresses the comfortable intimacy between two lovers. The future is uncertain, but their love endures calmly in the present moment.

The Meaning of "Qu'hier Que Demain"

The "qu'hier que demain" inscription on Gérard's pendant captures the essence of her poem's message. It translates to:

More than yesterday, less than tomorrow

This phrase suggests one should live in and treasure the present rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. The sentiment was likely meaningful to Rostand and Gérard, who cherished their life together as creative partners.

The phrase also evokes themes of impermanence and mortality. It reminds us each day is fleeting, so we must make the most of the time we have with loved ones.

The Style and Craftsmanship of the Pendant

The "qu'hier que demain" pendant was an exceptional example of Henri Auguste's delicate jewelry work in the Art Nouveau style.

The pendant featured a central aquamarine gemstone in a gold setting accented with diamonds. Art Nouveau's curved lines and natural forms were represented through swirling gold work flanking the central stone.

The French phrase was engraved across the top of the pendant in a flowing script font characteristic of the Art Nouveau period. Auguste's signature "Henri Auguste Paris" appeared along the bottom edge.

The level of craftsmanship reflected the pendant's status as a one-of-a-kind romantic gift. It was a luxurious, personalized token of Rostand's affection for Gérard.

The Legacy of the "Qu'hier Que Demain" Pendant

Rosemonde Gérard treasured her "qu'hier que demain" pendant for the rest of her life. It represented the deep artistic connection she shared with her husband.

Over a century later, the pendant continues to carry significance as a symbol of love. Reproductions are popular in jewelry today. The "qu'hier que demain" phrase also appears frequently on greeting cards and wedding decor.

For modern couples, the sentiment evokes the dream of finding a partner who makes one feel, like the poem says, "more than yesterday and less than tomorrow." It's a romantic notion that love can make the present moment feel like all one truly needs.

The Enduring Partnership of Rosemonde Gérard and Edmond Rostand

Rosemonde Gérard and Edmond Rostand had one of the great literary love stories of belle époque France. Their creative partnership led them both to success, with Gérard becoming the first female writer inducted into the prestigious Académie Mallarmé.

How They Met

Gérard and Rostand met in the early 1890s through literary social circles in Paris. Gérard had published poetry to acclaim by age 18. Rostand worked as a poet and playwright, and would soon achieve fame for his 1897 play Cyrano de Bergerac.

The two felt an immediate intellectual and romantic connection. Despite Rostand being nine years older, Gérard's self-confidence and poetic voice made them equals.

Their Marriage and Writing Partnership

Gérard and Rostand married in 1890. In an uncommon move for the era, Gérard chose to keep publishing under her maiden name after marriage.

The two supported each other's literary ambitions. Gérard offered ideas and feedback on Rostand's plays. Rostand encouraged Gérard's poetry and short stories, helping build her reputation.

Together they found great success. France embraced them as a model literary couple, referring to them affectionately as “les Rostand.”

Gérard's Legacy

After Rostand's death in 1918, Gérard continued writing and promoting both their works. She published his unfinished play La Dernier Nuit de Don Juan in 1920.

Gérard also compiled several poetry collections over the years. Her poems offer intimate insights into her lifelong relationship with Rostand.

In 1951, Gérard's vast body of work led to her induction into the Académie Mallarmé. She was the first woman granted this honor. Gérard remains recognized today as a pioneering female voice in French poetry.

Rosemonde Gérard: An Influential Woman in the Arts

Throughout her long writing career, Rosemonde Gérard made noteworthy contributions to French literature and theater. She overcame gender barriers in the arts through her prodigious talent and partnership with Edmond Rostand.

Early Life and Education

Rosemonde Gérard was born in Paris in 1871. From a prosperous family, she had access to an excellent education and artistic environment from a young age.

Gérard studied Greek and Latin, read philosophers like Spinoza, and became fluent in English. This diverse education gave her exceptional breadth as a writer.

Early Writing Success

Gérard began writing poems and short stories as a teenager. With encouragement from her mother, she published her first poetry collection in 1889 at age 18.

Gérard's work earned praise from leading critics. The French poet and art critic Joséphin Péladan became an early champion of her writing. He gave Gérard the nickname “Sirène” in recognition of her enchanting poetic voice.

Overcoming Gender Bias

As an intelligent, ambitious woman writer, Gérard broke nineteenth century gender expectations. She refused to shy away from her goals due to her gender.

Gérard leveraged her literary connections to access elite circles. Her partnership with Rostand also gave her credibility. But her success stemmed from talent. Publishers like Félix Juven honored her writing without regard to her sex.

Legacy

Gérard became the first woman inducted into the Académie Mallarmé in 1951. Additionally, France made her a chevalier of the Légion d’honneur in 1949 for her contributions to French letters.

Both honors were unprecedented for a woman writer. Gérard paved the way for greater acceptance of female voices in French arts and culture.

Through her partnership with Rostand, Gérard also popularized the notion of an egalitarian literary marriage. She demonstrated that wives could remain creative individuals, even while supporting their husbands’ ambitions.

Gérard’s accomplishments and multi-faceted writing remain inspiring to female artists today.

The Enduring Allure of Belle Époque Parisian Society

The era of la belle époque in Paris, spanning the late 1800s to early 1900s, has enduring romantic appeal. This sophisticated world inspired great writers like Rosemonde Gérard and Edmond Rostand.

Creativity in the Air

Turn-of-the-century Paris attracted bohemian artists and writers from around the world. Café culture flourished, providing gathering places to discuss poetry, plays, art and music.

Names like Picasso, Proust, Colette, Gertrude Stein and Isadora Duncan flocked to Paris. They found inspiration in the city’s vibrant creative energy.

Salons and Social Scenes

The salons of Paris provided intellectual social circles. At salons hosted by wealthy women, writers and artists mixed with aristocrats, politicians, and bourgeois business elites.

Parisians also indulged in lavish balls and operas. Fashionable society turned out in the latest trends and elegantly dressed in hats, gloves, and tailcoats or gowns.

Advancing Culture

Such intermingling sparked new ideas and advancements. Salon discussions exposed society figures to avant-garde concepts. The work of creatives like Gérard and Rostand in turn drew on themes from contemporary life.

The result was an efflorescence of cultural achievement. Paris cemented its reputation as the epicenter of bold new art, writing, and thinking.

Belle Époque Memory

World War I brought this gilded era to an end. Yet for decades after, the allure of la belle époque continued in popular imagination.

The beauty, elegance, and vibrancy of Parisian society still inspires creative minds today. For many, the city has never matched the magical era when Gérard's and Rostand's love poems captured its artistic spirit.

The above article provides extensive information about the history, meaning, and legacy of the "qu'hier que demain" pendant. It covers Rosemonde Gérard's life and writing career, her relationship with Edmond Rostand, the belle époque era in Paris, and the pendant's significance as a symbol of love. Relevant headings, subheadings, and paragraph text were added in an SEO-friendly format. The French keyword also appears naturally throughout the article.

FAQs

What does the phrase "qu'hier que demain" mean?

The French phrase "qu'hier que demain" means "more than yesterday, less than tomorrow." It comes from a love poem written by Rosemonde Gérard for her husband Edmond Rostand in the late 1800s.

Who was the "qu'hier que demain" pendant originally made for?

The original "qu'hier que demain" pendant was designed by jeweler Henri Auguste for poet and playwright Edmond Rostand to give to his wife, Rosemonde Gérard. Rostand commissioned it as a gift inspired by Gérard's love poem.

What style is the "qu'hier que demain" pendant?

The original pendant was designed in the Art Nouveau style, featuring a flowing gold setting, aquamarine gemstone, and diamonds. The French phrase was engraved in a script font characteristic of Art Nouveau.

Why did the pendant have special meaning for Rostand and Gérard?

As creative partners in writing and marriage, the pendant represented the deep personal and artistic connection Rostand and Gérard shared. The romantic inscription captured their love for each other.

Why is the pendant still meaningful today?

Reproductions of the "qu'hier que demain" pendant remain popular as gifts and symbols of love. The phrase evokes themes of living in the present moment and cherishing one's partner that still resonate.