Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 2025 Writers Series

At the centre of the intellectual awakening of the 18th Century was one man in particular whose written word has stood the test of time: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Polymath, giant of German Literature, Lawyer, Government Minister, theatre director and a prodigious collector and naturalist, he was in every way a revolutionary, intent on pushing back the boundaries of perception and learning. Driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge, his creative versatility knew no bounds. The philosophical depth of Faust, the lyrical subtlety of his poetry and the breadth of scientific exploration behind his colour theory and botanical treatises were of epochal significance and testify in their variety and far-reaching influence to Goethe’s genius. As a poet and statesman, advisor, friend and lover, he left an indelible mark on the world around him and serves to this day as a source of inspiration and vision.

With the support of the Klassik Stiftung Weimar and the Goethe National Museum it houses, Montblanc is dedicating its Writers Edition Homage to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Limited Edition to this universal genius, focusing especially on his literary works. Writing was Goethe’s lifeblood. The largest edition of his complete works and writings currently comprises 40 volumes, containing around 3,000 poems alone. His drama, Götz von Berlichingen, was published anonymously in 1773, but just one year later a period of frenzied activity saw him writing The Sorrows of Young Werther in less than four weeks, catapulting the 25-year-old lawyer to overnight fame. The Sorrows of Young Werther put German writing onto the European literary map. It is the story of a young man caught between love and duty, between burning passion and social convention. An entire generation saw itself reflected in the fate of the unhappy Werther. The novel has even influenced this limited edition: its impressive description of marble inspired the appearance of the precious lacquer of cap and barrel, while the engraving on the barrel ring echoes the framing of a copperplate illustration in an early Werther edition.