Pencil Drawing By Jean Cocteau

Jean COCTEAU (1889-1963) French poet, painter, designer, playwright and filmmaker. Jean Cocteau is a flamboyant jack-of-all-trades artist who left his mark on the 20th century with his genius. He is also the author of numerous drawings and these are now presented all over the world. Cocteau develops a great sensitivity and an obsession for certain poetic and mythological themes which are for him means of introspection such as the mirror, Oedipus, Orpheus, Antigone… Haunted by Beauty, he always surrounds himself with magnificent young men. This drawing represents the left profile of one of them. This one is perhaps inspired by Jean Marais, whose lover Cocteau was. Jean Marais whose beauty was recognized by all while also being the “muse”. Original drawing on paper in bold blue pencil on a white background. Signature at the bottom of the drawing and dated 1961. The work is protected under glass and surrounded by a modern black wooden frame enhanced with a gilded wooden fillet. Drawing size alone: 23.5 x 29 Framed format: 38.5 x 44 Note: very slight traces of creasing of the paper at the very bottom, under the drawing and the signature, in the white part at the junction with the frame.