French hispanicism in construction with Valery Larbaud as spectator and actor

This study focuses on Valery Larbaud, exploring his influence on French Hispanism in the first half of the 20^th century. As a translator and preface writer of Spanish and Latin American authors, Larbaud had a deep connection with the Hispanic world, particularly during his stays in Spain. The study examines the evolution of Hispanism alongside Larbaud’s career, highlighting his links with key figures in French Hispanism, marked by the rivalry between an academic model and an autonomous model. The analysis extends to Larbauds’s indirect participation in the field of study, his role as a mediator, and the impact of his translations on the emerging Hispanism. The relationship between Larbaud and the protagonists of the struggle between models is also studied revealing his affinities and decisions. This work underscores Larbaud’s importance as a connecting figure between Hispanic literature and the French public, contributing to the development and consolidation of Hispanism. Through his personal network, his connections with Hispanists, writers and translators are explored, highlighting his role as a cultural intermediary with a unique voice in the literary and academic landscape of the time. Ultimately, Larbaud emerges as a crucial player in the promotion and legitimisation of Hispanism in France.