Vis à Vis 1963

Mixed media (marker, watercolor) on paper. signed and dated lower right. Jean Cocteau was a multifaceted artist: writer, playwright, playwright, he also dabbled in visual arts, loving to experiment with all the avant-gardes of his century. Cocteau published his first book of drawings in 1923, at just 36 years old. In it the poet portrayed his friends Raymond Radiguet, Pablo Picasso, Erik Satie, Francis Poulenc, but also numerous scenes of daily life in Paris, Nijinski's Russian ballets, allegories, caricatures, poetic images. Cocteau revealed himself to be a talented sketcher, but above all an artist capable of capturing the essence of faces, behaviors, human weaknesses. The theme of the face, or rather of faces, often two profiles facing each other, vis à vis, recurs in his pictorial production. In 1962 the artist completed the construction of the open-air theatre in Cap d'Ail, on the French Mediterranean coast, whose flooring is decorated with this subject, two faces with a Greek profile facing each other, with an eye in between; the subject was then re-proposed by him in the following period - moreover the one imminent to his sudden death -, with different variations. In the drawing presented here we find the two Greek profiles, separated by the third eye but also by two twisted snakes, while in the drawing of the theatre we find leaves. The work is presented in a frame.

Sideboard with hinged doors and open drawers, walnut and briar veneer.

Early XX Century

Cupboard with walnut upper part in Emilian baroque style made with ancient woods, Italy, early 20th century. Removable top, with band hosting a pair of drawers. The upper part is connected, via four turned bases, to the sideboard, the latter equipped with two doors on the front and shelf feet. The piece of furniture is also embellished with tiles and metal studs. Poplar and fir interior.

Italy, Early XX Century

Art Nouveau cupboard supported by shelf-shaped feet, on the front it has a pair of doors, a compartment accessible through two sliding doors with blown glass and a pair of drawers in the band; a stand with shelf and mirror rests on the built-in marble top. In mahogany, the sideboard is adorned with characteristic Liberty-style floral carvings; fir interior.

Hermès scarf in grey wool and silk printed with geometric designs in shades of brown. Very good condition, unisex.

Italy, Early XVIII Century

Baroque chest of drawers veneered in walnut from the beginning of the 18th century, subsequently modified. Front with five drawers, of which the undercounter one has been reduced in height and made double, uprights at forty-five degrees, turned feet. Bronze vents and handles, poplar interior. Restorations and replacements.

Italy, Mid XIX Century

Louis Philippe round table in walnut and walnut slab, Italy, mid-19th century. Turned base, culminating with three wavy legs decorated with reserves, curls and carved leaf elements.

Single bed in enamelled metal.

Italy, Early XVIII Century

Gilded and lacquered frame.

Carved Chair

Carved chair with classic Greek motifs from the late 19th century. Made of mountain-style beech wood, it features simple floral carvings and classic Greek motifs across the entire surface.