Jean Cocteau Exhibition at Peggy Guggenheim Collection Explores His Multifaceted Art

The Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice presents 'Jean Cocteau. La rivincita del giocoliere', curated by Kenneth E. Silver. The exhibition features 150 works spanning drawings, graphic works, books, magazines, photographs, documentaries, and films, revealing Cocteau's unique aesthetic. The show is organized into thematic chapters: Orpheus and poetry, eroticism, classicism, and his relationship with Cubism, Dadaism, and Surrealism. A 1949 photo by Philippe Halsman, depicting Cocteau as a six-armed juggler, inspired the title. Cocteau's drawing 'Les Eugènes de la guerre' (1914-1915) uses futurist fragmentation to depict wartime chaos. A section on films includes a poster for 'Le testament d'Orphée'. The erotic theme includes a large drawing on linen, 'La Peur donnant les ailes au courage', featuring actor Jean Marais with exposed pubic hair, which caused scandal at British customs in 1938. Peggy Guggenheim negotiated its release by promising not to show it publicly. The classicism section highlights Cocteau's 1922 revival of 'Antigone', with sets by Picasso and costumes by Chanel. The drawings section emphasizes Cocteau's ambivalent engagement with avant-garde movements, including a cubist portrait of Picasso. Cocteau advocated for a 'réalisme irréel', rejecting conventions to reveal reality.