Jean Cocteau Books
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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1990s English Mid-Century Modern Jean Cocteau Books
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1980s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Cocteau Books
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21st Century and Contemporary Italian Jean Cocteau Books
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20th Century Jean Cocteau Books
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20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jean Cocteau Books
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20th Century Spanish Modern Jean Cocteau Books
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20th Century American Modern Jean Cocteau Books
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Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Jean Cocteau Books
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20th Century Jean Cocteau Books
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1980s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Cocteau Books
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1980s French Vintage Jean Cocteau Books
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1980s French Vintage Jean Cocteau Books
Jean Cocteau books for sale on 1stDibs.
- What is Jean Cocteau known for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Jean 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, 2024What 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.