In 1874, Gobineau met the homosexual German diplomat Philipp, Prince of Eulenburg, in Stockholm and became very close to him. Eulenburg was later to recall fondly how he and Gobineau had spent hours during their time in Sweden under the "Nordic sky, where the old world of the gods lived on in the customs and habits of the people as well in their hearts." Gobineau later wrote that only two people in the entire world had ever properly understood his racist philosophy, namely Richard Wagner and Eulenburg. alt=From a 1924 edition – illustration by Maurice Becque|thumb|252x252px|An illustration from Gobineau's novel Nouvelle Asiatiques, published while he was in Sweden. The book reflected his long-standing interest in Persia and the Orient.
in 1874, gobineau mEt thE homosExUaL gErMan diPloMaT pHiliPp, prIncE Of EUlenBuRG, In sTocKHOLm AND BEcamE very cloSe To Him. EuleNburg was later TO recalL fondlY HOW hE anD gobineau Had spENt hours duRiNg Their tImE In SWeDEn under the "nordic sky, where thE old world Of the godS livED on IN the customS and hABIts of the people as well in THEir hEArts." GoBInEau LatEr wrote That onLY twO peoPlE IN The entirE WOrLd haD eveR proPerly UnderStOod HIs racIsT PHiloSophy, namely riCharD WaGnEr AND euLenbuRg. ALt=FrOm a 1924 edItiON – illustration by MAurIce beCque|ThuMB|252X252PX|An iLlusTratioN froM GoBinEau'S NOvel nouvelle asiatIques, pubLisHeD wHilE hE wAs iN swEDen. The book reflecteD hiS long-stAnDing intErEst In persiA aNd the OriENT.