37 - COCTEAU, Jean (1889–1963).

COCTEAU, Jean (1889–1963). 20 letters, signed “Jean Cocteau” or “Jean,” [1924?]–1959, to Julien GREEN; 20 pages, in-4 or in-8. A fine collection of literary and personal correspondence, reflecting the friendship between the two writers. Description: Villefranche-sur-Mars [1926], regarding the portrait requested of him by “dearest Green” (to serve as the frontispiece for *Le Voyageur sur la terre*): “I accept with the greatest pleasure to do my best, for my hand is not always as nimble as it should be”; then he mentions the “inadequate translation” of *The Young Visitors to Daisy Ashford* by Maurice SACHS… – “ this poor image you’re asking of me will merely be a pretext for us to meet”…[1927], to “dear Green,” regarding his *English Suite*: “After reading your book, it’s not the Brontë sisters I think of, but the death of their brother. […] You’re a ‘chic guy,’ as they say in high school”… – “Write to me about the depth of your sorrow so that I may share it with all my strength. For I love you.” – “I’ve been ill because of mysterious storms. I was reading your work. I love you. I admire you most of all in those unbearable moments when you make me feel alive without distracting me”… – “So there are still wonders, surprises of the heart? I wept over them, my dear Julien, wept with calm. I know you won’t find me ridiculous and that you’ll understand”… [December 1948], he recommends the publisher Paul Morihen. “I’d like to show you *Les P. terribles*, the film.” Saint-Jean Cap Ferrat, April 18, 1951. “I saw your portrait again in *Opéra*, which stirred up a wave of memories and trusting tenderness. Here I am, a painter. It’s the only thing that makes me forget my miseries”… – May 29. “I’ve started painting. It’s the act of painting that I love, not the result. One works alone and without intermediaries. Very often, when I rest, I see your dear face appear”… – February 23, 1953. “My fever rises, falls, and rises again. I toss and turn at night and can’t seem to do what I want to do. Your play [Sud] is the only thing that shines in this foggy Paris. […] I’m delighted that Coco [CHANEL] is overseeing and altering the dresses. She’s the only one who knows how”… – March 27, on theater work: “A director must, above all, break down the barrier between the stage and the text”… – July 18. He has “finally given birth” to his chapel in Villefranche: “ I put my whole heart into it without imposing my style on it”… – May 14 and 15, 1956, regarding *Le Malfaiteur*: “I find myself locked away with you in a room filled with your admirable characters and your audacity, which is nobler than modesty”… “The book is, from beginning to end, dark and magnificent in its tone”… And on the play *L’Ombre*: “The play is terrifying only because every sentence throbs and proves compelling, as if haloed with splendor”… Enclosed is the autographed copy of a letter from Julien Green to Cocteau, dated April 13, 1956 (1 p., in-4), regarding *La Machine à écrire*.