Embracing the Parisian avant-garde, Foucault entered into a romantic relationship with the serialist composer Jean Barraqué. Together, they tried to produce their greatest work, heavily used recreational drugs and engaged in sado-masochistic sexual activity. In August 1953, Foucault and Barraqué holidayed in Italy, where the philosopher immersed himself in Untimely Meditations (1873–1876), a set of four essays by the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. Later describing Nietzsche's work as "a revelation", he felt that reading the book deeply affected him, being a watershed moment in his life. Foucault subsequently experienced another groundbreaking self-revelation when watching a Parisian performance of Samuel Beckett's new play, Waiting for Godot, in 1953.
embracing The pARisian avaNt-gArde, fOucaulT EnTereD Into a roMantic rElAtIonShip with thE seriaLIst cOMpOsER Jean bARraqué. tOgeTHer, tHEy trIeD TO pRoduce THEiR gREatest work, hEavily useD recreaTional dRuGs and engaged In sAdo-mAsOCHistIc SexUal activiTy. in august 1953, foucAuLt aND barrAqué hoLiDAyed in Italy, wHeRe thE PHiLOsopher ImmErsed himself in Untimely meDitations (1873–1876), a seT Of FOUr essayS By tHE PHilosopher friedRich nietZSche. laTer DEscRibing nietZschE's Work As "a ReveLATiON", hE felT tHat rEadIng The boOK dEePly affeCTed HIM, beIng a waTErShEd moment iN his life. foucault sUbsequeNTLy ExPeriEncEd ANotHEr grOundbreaking self-rEvelaTion When wAtChiNg a parIsian perfOrMaNCE of samuEl beckett's nEW PLay, waiTIng foR GodOt, in 1953.