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Jean Cocteau1950 original exhibition poster by Jean Cocteau - Affiches des grands peintres1950
1950
About the Item
In 1950, Jean Cocteau, the renowned French artist, poet, and filmmaker, designed an original exhibition poster for Affiches des grands peintres (Posters of Great Painters), a show held at the Galerie Bellechasse in Paris. The poster, with its whimsical and surrealist charm, exemplifies Cocteau's playful yet sophisticated artistic style.
At the center of the design is a peculiar, flower-like figure that combines elements of both the botanical and the fantastical. Its stem is drawn in delicate green strokes, while the flower itself resembles an eye, a motif often seen in surrealist art. This curious symbol, hovering between the natural and the surreal, reflects Cocteau’s deep fascination with dreams, imagination, and the intersection of reality and the subconscious. The eye-flower stands out against the muted blue background, lending the composition a sense of quiet intrigue and poetic mystery.
The text, handwritten in bright, expressive strokes, conveys the playful energy of the exhibition. Cocteau's choice of vibrant red, yellow, and white lettering brings the poster to life, contrasting sharply with the deep blue background and emphasizing the creative and artistic spirit of the event. The words "Exposition d'affiches des grands peintres" are written prominently, inviting art lovers to explore a showcase of works from major painters, while Cocteau’s signature, elegantly inscribed on the left, anchors the design.
Galerie Bellechasse, where the exhibition was held, was a popular Parisian venue located on Rue de Bellechasse in the heart of the city’s art district. This exhibition aimed to highlight the emerging trend of artists creating posters as a form of art in itself, breaking down traditional boundaries between commercial design and fine art. In this context, Cocteau’s poster not only promoted the event but also stood as an artistic statement, blending his surrealist vision with the communicative purpose of an exhibition poster.
Jean Cocteau was a versatile artist who excelled in various disciplines, from poetry to theater and visual arts. His artistic world was rich with symbolism and personal mythology, and his works often reflected his exploration of love, death, and beauty, all with a surrealist twist. In this 1950 poster, Cocteau manages to imbue a simple advertising tool with layers of meaning, making it not just a promotional piece but a work of art in its own right.
The exhibition represented a growing trend in the mid-20th century, where posters were not merely seen as commercial products but as an extension of an artist's portfolio, and Jean Cocteau was at the forefront of this shift. His work for Affiches des grands peintres exemplifies this transformation, serving as both an invitation to the gallery and a standalone artwork, demonstrating his lasting impact on the worlds of art and design.
Exhibition - Abstract
Galerie Bellechasse 266 Bvd St Germain à Paris
- Creator:Jean Cocteau (French)
- Creation Year:1950
- Dimensions:Height: 25.99 in (66 cm)Width: 19.69 in (50 cm)
- Medium:
- Period:
- Condition:Very good condition.
- Gallery Location:PARIS, FR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1792215187372
Jean Cocteau
Jean Cocteau was a French painter, poet, designer, printmaker, playwright and filmmaker. He is one of the most important figures of French Surrealism, although he always denied being in any way connected to the movement.
Cocteau was born to a socially prominent Parisian family. His father, George Cocteau, was an amateur painter who committed suicide when Jean was only a child. Jean became famous in Bohemian circles as "The Frivolous Prince." In 1912, he collaborated with the Ballets Russes. After World War I, Cocteau met the poet Guillaume Apollinaire and the artist Pablo Picasso. In 1917, thanks to Sergei Diaghilev, a Russian impresario, Cocteau wrote a scenario for the ballet Parade — the set of this important ballet was realized by Pablo Picasso and the music was composed by Erik Satie. In the late 1920s, Cocteau wrote the libretto for Igor Stravinsky’s opera-oratorio Oedipus Rex. In 1918, he met the French poet Raymond Radiguet. They worked and went on many journeys together, and Cocteau promoted his friend's works in his artistic group.
Cocteau is well-known for his novel Les Enfants Terribles (1929) and the films The Blood of a Poet, Beauty and the Beast and Orpheus. During World War II, he created sets for the Théâtre de la Mode. In 1955, he was elected to the Académie Française and the Royal Academy of Science, Letters and Fine Arts of Belgium. He was commander of the Legion of Honour, a member of the Academié Mallarmé, the Academy of Arts (Berlin) and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
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