Pablo Picasso

The Taste of Happiness 16.5.64 V

1970

Original Lithograph by Jean Cocteau Title: Antigone From "Théâtre" Portfolio, 1957 Edition: 207 / 8800 Dimensions: 22.5 x 15.5 cm Jean Cocteau Writer, artist and film director Jean Cocteau was one of the most influential creative figures in the Parisian avant-garde between the two World Wars. “The poet never asks for admiration; he wants to be believed.” —Jean Cocteau Synopsis Jean Cocteau was born on July 5, 1889, in Maisons-Laffitte, France. He spent most of his life in Paris, where he became part of the artistic avant-garde and was known for his variety of accomplishments. Over a 50-year career, he wrote poetry, novels and plays; created illustrations, paintings and other art objects; and directed influential films, including The Beauty and the Beast and Orpheus. He died on October 11, 1963. Early Life and Literary Debut Jean Cocteau was born on July 5, 1889, in Maisons-Laffitte, France, a village 12 miles outside Paris, to Georges and Eugénie (née) Lecomte Cocteau. He and his two older siblings were brought up in comfortable household in Paris, where they were introduced to the arts by their parents. Their father, a lawyer and amateur artist, committed suicide in 1898. After his father's death, Cocteau was raised by his mother and his maternal grandfather. He attended school at the Lycée de Condorcet in Paris and he showed an early talent for writing. When he was just 18, his poetry was read aloud in performance arranged by the well-known actor Edouard de Max, and he became the toast of literary Paris. His first book of poems, La Lampe d'Aladin (Aladdin's Lamp), was published a year later, in 1909. Cocteau and the Parisian Avant-Garde In the 1910s, Cocteau formed friendships with many prominent members of the Parisian avant-garde, including writer Guillaume Apollinaire and artists Amedeo Modigliani and Pablo Picasso. He was so impressed by seeing the dancer Vaslav Nijinsky perform with the Ballets Russes that he met the company's founder, Sergei Diaghilev, and asked to work with him. Cocteau designed posters for the Ballets Russe, and in 1917 he was one of the collaborators on the ballet Parade: Cocteau wrote the story, Erik Satie composed the music, Léonide Massine choreographed the dance and Picasso designed the set and costumes. Cocteau's activities of the 1920s were remarkably varied. He composed opera libretti for several composers. He published collections of poetry and illustrations as well as a novel inspired by his experiences during World War I. He staged a ballet called Le Boeuf Sur le Toit (The Ox on the Roof) and directed modern adaptations of several classic dramas. He promoted the work of young writer Raymond Radiguet...

Soldier is an original hand-colored Lithograf realized by an Anonymous artist of the XIX century. In good condition except for a rip on the lower margin that doesn't affect the imag...

Portrait of a Woman is an original lithograph on paper, realized by Franco Gentilini (Italian Painter, 1909-1981), in Late 20th Century. The state of preservation of the artwork is ...

Untitled is an original lithograph realized by Mario Tozzi in 1970s. Good conditions except for some light folds. Hand-signed on the lower right. Numbe...

The Departure is an original litography realized by Denis Etcheverry in 1952. Good condition on a brown paper. Monogrammed by the artist on the lower margin. Hubert-Denis Etcheverry , born in Bayonne on September 21 , 1867 and died in his hometown on April 3 , 1952, is a French painter. A pupil of Achille Zo at the municipal drawing school of Bayonne , he was awarded first in the entrance examination to the École des beaux-arts de Paris, where he entered the studio of Léon Bonnat and Albert Maignan.

Study for Self-portrait is an original lithograph realized by Raoul Dufy in 1930s. Good conditions. No signature. Raoul Dufy (3 June 1877 – 23 March 1953) was a French Fauvist pai...