During his 50-year career, the artist, writer and filmmaker became a leading figure of the French avant-garde.
Although he came to ceramics late in life, producing his first works in 1957, he created more than 300 works before his death in 1963. Like his drawings, his ceramics featured clean, graphic lines. Many, including those offered at Bonhams, are inspired by myth and legend.
Bonhams’ Lucia Tro Santafe says: “Jean Cocteau is one of the most multitalented artists of the 20th century. This is the largest collection of Cocteau Ceramic works ever offered at auction and because his ceramics were only produced in very small editions, these pieces are very special.”
The ceramics are offered at Bonhams’ Prints and Multiples sale on December 11-12 in London, coinciding with the 130th anniversary year of Cocteau’s birth.
