Petit profil d'Orphée aux arabesques

This original lithograph by Jean Cocteau, titled Petit profil d'Orphée aux arabesques, captures the distinctive fusion of mythology and modernist elegance that defines the artist’s oeuvre. Limited to an edition of 150, this delicate composition reflects Cocteau’s enduring fascination with the Orphic myth—a recurring theme in his poetry, films, and visual art.

Rendered in soft earth tones and swirling lines, the portrait presents Orpheus in profile, his face composed of intricate arabesques and geometric motifs that suggest both motion and mystery. Cocteau’s stylized linearity, almost calligraphic in nature, evokes a dreamlike inner world, where identity and symbol merge into a single expressive gesture.

Jean Cocteau (1889–1963) was one of the most versatile figures of 20th-century French art. A poet, novelist, dramatist, filmmaker, and visual artist, he was closely linked with the avant-garde movements of his time. His graphic work, including drawings and lithographs like this one, occupies a unique space between classical mythology and surreal modernism—imbued with both elegance and psychological depth.

Petit profil d'Orphée aux arabesques is not just a visual homage to the legendary poet of Greek myth; it’s a personal symbol of Cocteau’s artistic identity. Orpheus, the archetype of the suffering artist who descends into the underworld, was central to Cocteau’s self-conception. In this lithograph, that theme is given a lyrical and intimate expression.

A poetic and highly collectible piece, this lithograph is ideal for admirers of Cocteau’s refined, multidisciplinary genius and for collectors of modern mythological art.

Original Lithograph

Stamped lower right and numbered 149/150

Size visible as framed

Very good condition