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Jean Cocteau

French

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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Jean Cocteau's drawing "Le Couple et la Lyre"
By Jean Cocteau
Located in PARIS, FR
Jean Cocteau's drawing, "Le Couple et la Lyre," is a poetic masterpiece that weaves together love and music. This artwork, with its minimalist lines, beautifully captures two figures...
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1940s Jean Cocteau

Materials

Paper

Tête de Faune gravée sur noir
By Jean Cocteau
Located in CANNES, FR
"Tête de fauve gravée sur noir " . conceived in 1958 in série N°37 / 50 . Référence R 516 page 142 from Annie Guedras Catalogue raisonné .assiette en terre blanche émaillée rouge et ...
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1950s Art Deco Jean Cocteau

Materials

Ceramic

Figure - Lithograph by Jean Cocteau - 1930s
By Jean Cocteau
Located in Roma, IT
Figure is a Colored lithograph realized by Jean Cocteau (1889 -1963) in 1930 ca.  French draftsman, poet, essayist, playwright, librettist, film director. Not signed, Good conditio...
Category

1930s Modern Jean Cocteau

Materials

Lithograph

Erotic Scene - Lithograph by Jean Cocteau - 1930s
By Jean Cocteau
Located in Roma, IT
Erotic Scene is a Colored lithograph realized by Jean Cocteau (1889 -1963) in 1930 ca.  French draftsman, poet, essayist, playwright, librettist, film director. Not signed. Very Go...
Category

1930s Modern Jean Cocteau

Materials

Lithograph

Lovers - Lithograph by Jean Cocteau - 1930s
By Jean Cocteau
Located in Roma, IT
Lovers is a Colored lithograph realized by Jean Cocteau (1889 -1963) in 1930 ca.  French draftsman, poet, essayist, playwright, librettist, film director. Good conditions. Jean Co...
Category

1930s Modern Jean Cocteau

Materials

Lithograph

Boy - Lithograph by Jean Cocteau - 1930s
By Jean Cocteau
Located in Roma, IT
Boy is a Colored lithograph realized by Jean Cocteau (1889 -1963) in 1930 ca.  French draftsman, poet, essayist, playwright, librettist, film director. Good conditions. Jean Cocte...
Category

1930s Modern Jean Cocteau

Materials

Lithograph

Jean Cocteau - Antigone - Original Lithograph
By Jean Cocteau
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
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...
Category

1950s Modern Jean Cocteau

Materials

Lithograph

Jean Cocteau - Blue Lady - Original Lithograph
By Jean Cocteau
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
Original Lithograph by Jean Cocteau Title: Blue Lady Signed in the plate Dimensions: 32 x 25.5 cm Edition: 200 1959 Publisher: Bibliophiles Du Palais Unnumb...
Category

1950s Modern Jean Cocteau

Materials

Lithograph

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Galleries Featuring Jean Cocteau

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Jean Cocteau art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Jean Cocteau art available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of art to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of orange, yellow, blue and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Jean Cocteau in lithograph, ceramic, ink and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the modern style. Not every interior allows for large Jean Cocteau art, so small editions measuring 4 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Leonor Fini, André Derain, and Marino Marini. Jean Cocteau art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at £60 and tops out at £39,713, while the average work can sell for £1,090.
Questions About Jean Cocteau
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Jean Cocteau was a man of many talents and was known for his paintings, poetry, screenplays and novels. He also was a director and sometimes an actor. Considered some of his most important works are the poem L'Ange Heurtebise, the novel Les Enfants Terribles, the play Orphée, and the movie La Belle et la Bête. Find an assortment of Cocteau art from the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

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