Jean Cocteau (1889-1963) - The Mystery of John the Bird - Self-portrait n° 17
JEAN COCTEAU (1889-1963)
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Very rare original drawing, with autograph annotations, circa 1924, bearing n°17: This is the original drawn and handwritten plate n°17 (out of 31 plates) which was used for his work "The Mystery of Jean l'Oiseleur " published in 1925.
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Indian ink and pen on paper, beautiful frame under anti-reflective glass.
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JEAN COCTEAU’S MOST EXCEPTIONAL MANUSCRIPT:
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1924. Is Jean Cocteau aware that he is about to compose the most intimate and moving of his works? When Raymond Radiguet died, Jean Cocteau was devastated by grief. He locks himself in a hotel room on the Côte d'Azur. Carried by the grace of his imagination and the help of opium, he tirelessly draws himself in front of the mirror.
The result is a series of sublime self-portraits: The Mystery of John the Birdcatcher
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Through this introspective and repetitive gesture, Jean Cocteau stifles his despair, pays homage to his former lover, questions death and creation and summons the artists who inspired him, such as Picasso or Apollinaire.
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The Mystery of John the Birdcatcher is a bridge: on the one hand, it expresses the parallel reality that Cocteau found in his mirror; on the other hand, the poet navigates between a past work, such as Antigone, and drafts of what he will write later.
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Plate n°17: A VERY BEAUTIFUL CLEAN SELF-PORTRAIT, with the following annotations:
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“What is the thread that prevents a book like “Monsieur Lecoq” from obtaining the votes of the elite and taking its place next to the “Chartreuse de Parme” and “Père Goriot”. In the words of Maurras, an honest man questions himself when rereading this masterpiece in the countryside. No doubt its fate comes from the color cover and the price of 1f75. We only encounter in Emile Gaboriau the pleasure we experience in reading Stendhal and Balzac. A fine edition – even a decent edition is required. Misunderstandings: children's books: La Fontaine, Andersen, Perrau[l] t etc. Books for concierges: Al. Dumas, Gaboriau etc. By what other mystery are L’Affaire Lerouge, Le Dossier n°113 [other works by Émile Gaboriau] mediocre works? ”
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Origin:
- Liliane and Étienne de Saint-Georges Collection.
- Sotheby's sale: "Books and Manuscripts", November 24, 2010, lot no. 205
https: //www. sothebys. com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2010/books-and-manuscripts-pf1024/lot. 205. html? locale=en
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THIS PIECE HAS FEATURED IN SEVERAL EXHIBITIONS:
- Baden-Baden, Staatliche Kunsthalle, Jean Cocteau Gemälde exhibition, Zeichnungen, May 5-July 30, 1989.
– Brussels, Ixelles Museum of Fine Arts, exhibition Jean Cocteau and his artist friends, October 12-December 15, 1991.
– Paris, Georges Pompidou National Center for Art and Culture, Jean Cocteau exhibition on the thread of the century, September 25, 2003-January 5, 2004.
– Évian, Palais Lumière, Jean Cocteau exhibition, in the footsteps of a magician, February 20-May 23, 2010
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SENDING BY CHRONOPOST with AD VALOREM INSURANCE
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#Table. Q1
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JEAN COCTEAU (1889-1963)
\r
Very rare original drawing, with autograph annotations, circa 1924, bearing n°17: This is the original drawn and handwritten plate n°17 (out of 31 plates) which was used for his work "The Mystery of Jean l'Oiseleur " published in 1925.
\r
Indian ink and pen on paper, beautiful frame under anti-reflective glass.
\r
JEAN COCTEAU’S MOST EXCEPTIONAL MANUSCRIPT:
\r
1924. Is Jean Cocteau aware that he is about to compose the most intimate and moving of his works? When Raymond Radiguet died, Jean Cocteau was devastated by grief. He locks himself in a hotel room on the Côte d'Azur. Carried by the grace of his imagination and the help of opium, he tirelessly draws himself in front of the mirror.
The result is a series of sublime self-portraits: The Mystery of John the Birdcatcher
\r
Through this introspective and repetitive gesture, Jean Cocteau stifles his despair, pays homage to his former lover, questions death and creation and summons the artists who inspired him, such as Picasso or Apollinaire.
\r
The Mystery of John the Birdcatcher is a bridge: on the one hand, it expresses the parallel reality that Cocteau found in his mirror; on the other hand, the poet navigates between a past work, such as Antigone, and drafts of what he will write later.
\r
Plate n°17: A VERY BEAUTIFUL CLEAN SELF-PORTRAIT, with the following annotations:
\r
“What is the thread that prevents a book like “Monsieur Lecoq” from obtaining the votes of the elite and taking its place next to the “Chartreuse de Parme” and “Père Goriot”. In the words of Maurras, an honest man questions himself when rereading this masterpiece in the countryside. No doubt its fate comes from the color cover and the price of 1f75. We only encounter in Emile Gaboriau the pleasure we experience in reading Stendhal and Balzac. A fine edition – even a decent edition is required. Misunderstandings: children's books: La Fontaine, Andersen, Perrau[l] t etc. Books for concierges: Al. Dumas, Gaboriau etc. By what other mystery are L’Affaire Lerouge, Le Dossier n°113 [other works by Émile Gaboriau] mediocre works? ”
\r
Origin:
- Liliane and Étienne de Saint-Georges Collection.
- Sotheby's sale: "Books and Manuscripts", November 24, 2010, lot no. 205
https: //www. sothebys. com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2010/books-and-manuscripts-pf1024/lot. 205. html? locale=en
\r
THIS PIECE HAS FEATURED IN SEVERAL EXHIBITIONS:
- Baden-Baden, Staatliche Kunsthalle, Jean Cocteau Gemälde exhibition, Zeichnungen, May 5-July 30, 1989.
– Brussels, Ixelles Museum of Fine Arts, exhibition Jean Cocteau and his artist friends, October 12-December 15, 1991.
– Paris, Georges Pompidou National Center for Art and Culture, Jean Cocteau exhibition on the thread of the century, September 25, 2003-January 5, 2004.
– Évian, Palais Lumière, Jean Cocteau exhibition, in the footsteps of a magician, February 20-May 23, 2010
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SENDING BY CHRONOPOST with AD VALOREM INSURANCE
\r
#Table. Q1
Sale price
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
