Jean Cocteau (1889-1963), writer, playwright, painter - Lot 286

Jean Cocteau (1889-1963), writer, playwright, painter Autograph manuscript signed "Triptique [sic] musical pour la Chapelle Saint-Pierre de Villefranche", Milly, December 1957 7 pages in-4 A very interesting dramaturgical text by Cocteau, intended to be recited by the artist in the Chapelle de Villefranche-sur-Mer, which he decorated in 1957. Dating from the Renaissance and dedicated to the cult of Saint-Pierre, patron saint of fishermen, the chapel had gradually been used as a net shed and a fishermen's tribunal. Cocteau, who claims to have "always known it as an old tramp asleep in the dust", had the idea of restoring an artistic and sacred vocation to the place by painting scenes from the life of Saint-Pierre, as well as Mediterranean frescoes in homage to the fishermen. The manuscript we present is a corrected first draft of Cocteau's text, a sort of homily based on episodes from the life of Saint Peter, intended to be accompanied by music composed by Father Emile Martin, to whom he sent the manuscript in December 1957. The text presents five numbered episodes, each separated from the next by an interlude. We can only give a brief outline of Cocteau's text here: And the word of Peter glorified the stone and was addressed to those who heard, and it was written between two candlesticks, and these two candlesticks stood to the right and left of the door, and their color was like the jasper and seaweed of the sea [...] In those days, fishermen fished and the Lord fished souls. And the Lord cried out to Peter, "Peter, step over the boat and walk on the waters", and Peter thought the Lord was mocking and wanting to amuse his companions, and he said, "Lord, I believe you in all things, but no one can walk on the waters". And the Lord shouted from the shore, "Come! Peter! [...] Truly, you walk on the waters because your trust has overcome your fear, which is great, and an angel prevents you from sinking into the waters. [...] At that time, Pilate's maids said to his guards, who were playing dice in the courtyard: "Here's the one who claims not to know the man", and they laughed, and the guards laughed with them, and one of the maids, who was carrying a vase on her shoulder, said to Peter: "Do you know this man we are judging? And Peter answered "no". And it was dawn and the cock crowed, and Peter remembered Jesus' word and wept. And in his heart a voice was heard saying, "Blessed are the weak who repent. Their tears save them." At that time, Peter was a prisoner of King Herod, sleeping in his jail. And he dreamed. And his dream was of a massacre of children. And the cries of begging mothers startled him awake. And he saw a seaport and the mothers and children and soldiers of the massacre became angels and the sky was filled with angels [...] And Christmas lit its trees. And the fishermen followed the star and they saw that the star had led them to the seashore and a chapel stood by the seashore and it glorified the apostle who protects them, the doorkeeper of the last gate. [...] They knew that the chapel was like a starfish stranded between the boats, and that their road ended there. The manuscript is signed "JC. 1er décembre 1957", with Cocteau's characteristic star. Enclosed: - Cocteau's letter of transmittal to Père Martin, dated December 1, 1957: "I apologize for the erasures, but I wanted there to be no duplicates of this text, and to give it to you as it came from my heart. JEAN COCTEAU". - a letter from Cocteau dated December 5, 1957, to the same author, asking him to send the typed texts so that "they can be included in the deluxe album that Mourlot is preparing. The film is becoming clearer, and I'm sure you'll be working for it...". - a telegram from Cocteau dated February 1958 to the same address, expressing regret at not being able to attend. - a letter from Cocteau dated March 3, 1958 to the same address, regretting having missed him and asking for news of the progress of the music. - A letter from Cocteau dated March 11, 1958 to the same address, informing him that he will "soon publish the Mourlot album on the Chapelle lithographs. The album opens with texts written for you...". - A letter from Cocteau dated March 30, 1960 to the same, accepting an invitation for him and Madame Weisweiller. Nice set. Expert : David CHELLI (Chelli Autographes) - 06 60 05 83 04 - contact@chelli-autographes.com