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Often criticized, Cocteau always lived his homosexuality and even his addiction to opium openly. He lived his art like his life in all excesses, leaving behind him a scent of scandal which amused him more than it disturbed him.
The exhibition traces his passions for mythology with the famous myth of Orpheus but also his love for Venice.
His friend Peggy Guggenheim, an American patron, began her career in the art world on the advice of Marcel Duchamp with an exhibition devoted to Cocteau.
In Venice, you can today admire his Academician’s Sword made in 1955 by Cartier based on Cocteau’s design. This symbol of the academy was chiseled in gold and silver paved with emeralds, diamonds, rubies, decorated with ivory, onyx and enamel.
The artist wanted the profile of Orpheus to be on this jewel alongside the star and the lyre, recurring symbols in his art.
The myth of Orpheus is dominated by the themes of purification and death but also of love and the soul. He also made a film based on this legendary story with the actor Jean Marais, his lover, friend, and eternal companion.
Jean Cocteau
Untitled, Drawing in Peggy Guggenheim’s third guest book, 1956 Ink on paper
22,9 x 15,6 cm
Private collection
© Adagp/Comité Cocteau, Paris, by SIAE 2024.