The Europeans

When the arts of all countries, with their native qualities, have become accustomed to reciprocal exchanges, the character of art will be enriched everywhere to an incalculable extent, without the genius peculiar to each nation being changed. In this way a European school will be formed in place of the national sects which still divide the great family of artists; then, a universal school, familiar with the world, to which nothing human will be foreign.

Théophile Thoré, ‘Des tendances de l’art au xix^e siècle’ (1855)

Money has emancipated the writer, money has created modern literature.

Émile Zola, ‘Money in Literature’ (1880)

‘You are a foreigner of some sort,’ said Gertrude.

‘Of some sort – yes; I suppose so. But who can say of what sort? I don’t think we have ever had occasion to settle the question. You know there are people like that. About their country, their religion, their profession, they can’t tell.’

Henry James, The Europeans (1878)