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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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$2,320
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Jean Cocteau - Marine Mountains - Original Lithograph
By Jean Cocteau
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
Jean Cocteau - Marine Mountains - Original Lithograph Dimensions: 38 x 28 cm Edition: 200 In Rives From: COCTEAU. — VERDET (André). Montagnes marines. S. l. (Paris), Les Messagers du...
Category

1960s Modern Jean Cocteau

Materials

Lithograph

Scene d'Interieur from Le Satiricon
By Jean Cocteau
Located in Chatsworth, CA
This piece is original ceramic plate by Jean Cocteau, created in 1961. This piece was embellished with black, red, green, blue, and yellow enamels. In 1957, Cocteau met Marie Madeline Jolly and Philippe Madeline and created over 300 ceramics in their workshop at Villefranche-sur-Mer. At this workshop, he began experimenting with new concepts in pottery design. All these ceramic objects, he said, should look as if they were discovered in an archaeological dig. This piece is from a series of 8 ceramic plates that illustrate the ancient Latin...
Category

1960s Modern Jean Cocteau

Materials

Ceramic

Jean Cocteau - Marine Mountains - Original Lithograph
By Jean Cocteau
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
Jean Cocteau - Marine Mountains - Original Lithograph Dimensions: 38 x 28 cm Edition: 200 In Rives From: COCTEAU. — VERDET (André). Montagnes marines. S. l. (Paris), Les Messagers du...
Category

1960s Modern Jean Cocteau

Materials

Lithograph

Jean COCTEAU and Raymond MORETTI: Love Encounter - Original Hansigned Lithograph
By Jean Cocteau
Located in Paris, FR
Jean Cocteau and Raymond Moretti Love Encounter Original lithograph Printed signature in the plate, handsigned by Raymond Moretti Numbered EA 1/10 - Very look for proof bearing n°1 ...
Category

1970s Surrealist Jean Cocteau

Materials

Lithograph

Trois Faunes, 1938 ink on paper beautiful drawing
By Jean Cocteau
Located in Jerusalem, IL
Beautiful drawing Trois Faunes, 1938 ink on paper by the French artist Jean Cocteau.
Category

1930s Jean Cocteau

Materials

Ink

original lithograph
By Jean Cocteau
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: original lithograph. Printed in Paris in 1957 at the Mourlot Freres atelier. Size: 9 x 6 inches (225 x 150 mm). Jean Cocteau executed this original lithograph to depict a sce...
Category

1950s Jean Cocteau

Materials

Lithograph

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

1950s Modern Jean Cocteau

Materials

Lithograph

Jean Cocteau's 1943 lithograph "Astre, Tu Meurs: Ce Qui Fait Ta Lumière"
By Jean Cocteau
Located in PARIS, FR
Jean Cocteau's 1943 lithograph, "Astre, Tu Meurs: Ce Qui Fait Ta Lumière" (Star, You Die: That Which Makes Your Light), is a poetic exploration of life and death through the cosmic m...
Category

1940s Jean Cocteau

Materials

Paper, Lithograph

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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, blue, pink and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Jean Cocteau in lithograph, paper, 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 3 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Leonor Fini, Georges Braque, and Henri Matisse. Jean Cocteau art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $75 and tops out at $60,065, while the average work can sell for $1,297.
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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 15, 2024
    What movement Jean Cocteau was a part of is open to debate. The French artist and writer is today thought of as one of the most important figures of French Surrealism. However, he always denied being in any way connected to the movement. As a result, some people simply classify his work as modernism. On 1stDibs, explore an assortment of Jean Cocteau art.

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