Jean Cocteau Untitled, c. 1950-59; An androgynous figure appears multiple times across the outer surfaces of this piece. The repetition of the barely-defined profile enforces a sense of anonymity that the artist cultivated in his work throughout his career. Having both written critically about and practiced the tenets of Cubism, Jean Cocteau was inclined to depict things and people in a reduced, generalized state. This tendency expresses itself perfectly in this server. The repeated forms of the wide staring eye and curved profile echo its round shape. A harmonious whole emerges from the divided elements in a piece as unexpected as Cocteau's path, which traveled the worlds of graphic art, criticism and set design, amongst others. Cocteau understood his diverse undertakings as the basis of his success, remarking, "The disparate nature of his undertakings has saved him from becoming a habit" (Cocteau, Pompidou Centre, 20).

Signed "Jean Cocteau" twice in white on both sides, this triple level server in painted metal and plastic is molded on the underside of its base to read "TRIPLE LEVEL SERVER" and "PAT. NO. 7205 APP. 729; 730".

Catalogue raisonné & COA:
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany the sale of Jean Cocteau Untitled, c. 1950-59.