Théophile Gautier was a French writer, poet, and art critic, known both for his contributions to Romanticism and his role in developing the Parnassian movement. Born in Tarbes, France, Gautier began his career as a poet and later focused on journalism and art criticism. He was an advocate of the "art for art's sake" principle and is remembered for works like Mademoiselle de Maupin (1835) and Émaux et Camées (1852). Gautier also wrote supernatural tales, including La Morte Amoureuse, which dealt with themes of vampirism. His influence extended beyond literature, impacting dance and visual arts.