by Inge Jonsson
The opening section [of the book] reminds us how often Swedenborg (1688-1772) was cited by Baudelaire and the French symbolists, particularly in the capacity of creator of the doctrine of correspondence. However, he seldom appears alone in the manifests and the theoretical tracts, but rather as a link in a widely ramified mystic tradition, in a philosophia perennis. Before Swedenborg’s real influence can be determined, the special content which he chose to give his doctrine of correspondence must be uncovered. This was the goal of the research.
