Michel Butor

Michel Butor (1926–2016) was a French poet, novelist, essayist, teacher, art critic, and translator. A leading figure of the Nouveau Roman movement, he won the Prix Renaudot in 1957 for his groundbreaking novel La Modification, which reshaped narrative conventions of the time. His poetic work was equally acclaimed, earning him the Prix Mallarmé and the Grand Prix de poésie from the Société des gens de lettres. Deeply invested in the relationship between literature and visual arts, Butor collaborated extensively with artists in the creation of artist’s books, blending text and image in innovative ways. As a teacher and critic, he also left behind a body of essays and theoretical writings that continue to influence scholars and readers alike.