Jean Cocteau was a French artist in all possible avenues, willing to excel in everything, from writing poems, fiction, novels, theatre plays, to creating ceramics, drawings, paintings, frescas, as well as designs, sculpture and jewellery. He spent a major part of his life (25 years) with the French actor Jean Marais. Before Jean Marais, he had a strong relationship with the young talented writer Raymond Radiguet (Devel in the Flesh - Le Diable au Corps) and also with Edouard Dermit.
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| Jean Cocteau and Jean Marais at the beach - 1939 |
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| Jean Cocteau and Jean Marais - photo by Beaton |
Born on July 5, 1889, he died aged 74, on Oct 11, 1963. As well summarized by Wikipedia : ''Jean Cocteau is best known for his novel
Les Enfants Terribles (1929), and the films
Blood of a Poet (1930),
Les Parents Terribles (1948),
Beauty and the Beast (1946) and
Orpheus (1949). His circle of associates, friends and lovers included
Kenneth Anger,
Pablo Picasso,
Jean Hugo,
Jean Marais,
Henri Bernstein,
Yul Brynner,
Marlene Dietrich,
Coco Chanel,
Erik Satie,
Igor Stravinsky,
María Félix,
Édith Piaf,
Panama Al Brown,
Colette and
Raymond Radiguet.''
Among other honors, Cocteau was made a member of the Academie Française in 1955, and at the Royal Academy in Belgium as well. Below is the picture of Jean Cocteau dressed in his French Academy suit designed by Lanvin, and with his sword designed by himself and handcrafted by Cartier.
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| Detail of sword handle |
Here are some sculptures, ceramics, potteries and jewellery made by Jean Cocteau.
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| photo Annick Puvilland |
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| Faun - bronze medallion |
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| Chevre- pied - bronze - 1958 |
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| Pecheur de perles - bronze - 1958 |
And I could not resist to add a few drawings, some from his Livre Blanc (the White book).
Jean Cocteau drawings have often been inspired by sea life, sailors, etc
as seen in his Livre Blanc, and other drawings made for Querelle,
famous book written by Jean Genet.
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| Jean Cocteau in Toulon - 1930 |
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| Jean Cocteau sculpture of a faun inspired by Jean Marais face |
Jean Marais (1913-1988), his lover, after a successful career in movies then theater, became a ceramist and sculptor as well.
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| Jean Marais photographed by Raymond Voinquel |
Here are some works from him. The first serie of pictures shows 'Le Passe Muraille' (Going through walls) life size bronze sculpture displayed in Paris, inspired by the book from Marcel Aymé.
Other sculptures from Jean Marais :
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| head of Jean Cocteau sculpted by Jean Marais - bronze |
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| head of Jean Cocteau sculpted by Jean Marais - terra cotta |
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| Le Chantre |
Arno Breker, German sculptor who did many males sculptures as we will see in another post, made both heads from Jean Cocteau and Jean Marais, as seen below.
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| Arno Breker bronze sculpture - 1963 - head of Jean Cocteau |
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| Arno Breker bronze sculpture - 1963 - head of Jean Marais |
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Some links :
Several videos / documentaries about Jean Cocteau
http://www.cocteau-art.com/default_gb.html
http://www.jeancocteau.net/bio1_en.php
http://tetu.yagg.com/2009/11/22/le-couple-cocteau-marais-est-un-exemple-gay-aujourdhui-encore/
http://quintessentialpublications.com/twyman/?page_id=26
