Through a visit from a customer and writer Frank van Dijl, I have learned more about the rose and writer Pierre de Ronsard—something I would like to share with you. Additionally, it is one of the best climbing roses for your garden. It has several names - Eden Rose / Pierre de Ronsard

Article by Frank van der Dijl

Pierre de Ronsard (1524–1585) was one of the most famous French poets of the renaissance and is often called the "prince of poets." He was born in the Château de la Possonnière in the Vendômois region of France, into a noble family. Initially, he pursued a career as a diplomat and served as a page at the royal court.

From diplomat to poet

At a young age, Ronsard was educated at prestigious schools and served as a page at the court of the Duke of Orléans and later at the court of King James V of Scotland. However, his ambition to become a diplomat was thwarted when he became deaf due to an illness. This unexpected turn led him to literature.

La Pléiade: the poets' group

Ronsard became the leading figure of La Pléiade, a group of seven French poets who sought to elevate the French language and poetry by following classical Greek and Roman literary traditions. Together with poets like Joachim du Bellay, Ronsard advocated enriching the French language and developing a literary style that could rival that of the ancients.

His main works

Pierre de Ronsard wrote a wide range of poems, including love poems, hymns, and philosophical works. His best-known works are:

• Les Odes (1550–1552): a series of poems inspired by the classical odes of Horace.
• Les Amours de Cassandre (1552): a collection of love poems addressed to his muse Cassandre Salviati.
• Les Hymnes (1555–1556): a series of poems with philosophical and religious themes.
• Les Discours (1562–1563): political and moral poems.
• Sonnets pour Hélène (1578): one of his most famous works, dedicated to Hélène de Surgères, a lady-in-waiting to Queen Catherine de' Medici.

Themes in his poetry

Ronsard’s poetry is known for its themes of love, nature, and the fleetingness of life. One of his most famous lines is:
"Mignonne, allons voir si la rose…"
In this poem, he calls on the reader to enjoy life before it passes— a theme strongly reminiscent of the classic idea of carpe diem.

Recognition and influence

Ronsard was appointed royal poet and chaplain by King Charles IX of France. He was granted the priory of Saint-Cosme near Tours, where he spent his final years. He died there in 1585.

Legacy

Although his work fell into some obscurity after his death in 1585, it was rediscovered in the 19th century by romantic writers. Today, Pierre de Ronsard is regarded as one of the foremost French poets and has a lasting influence on French literature.

Pierre de Ronsard in Amsterdam