ALS in French, signed “Jean,” one page both sides, 8.25 x 10.75, October 20, 1956. Letter to Margaret Brusset, the wife of acclaimed French painter Jean Paul Brusset, who was collaborating with Cocteau on the stunning restoration of the Chapelle Saint-Pierre de Villefranche-sur-Mer. Cocteau reaches out to Brusset's wife following the publication of an article that has vexed Brusset to the point of abandoning the project. In part (translated): "As to our friendship, I believe I have given proof of mine to Brusset in my preface, the drama of tonight remains a drama. (I am concerned about him) From the point of view of the work the drama is worse, because we have done too much together for another painter to come in now. Every time someone comes to the chapel, I always tell of the greatness of Brusset & his courage. It is something understood; I would not go into details for the preface, which most appear in Arts. I must know now what Brusset decides. A strange hand cannot be substituted for his and I am unable to paint all the walls. This mixture of chagrin & deception is atrocious. My heart is wrung inside out." In fine condition, with some light edge creasing. Villefranche was a favourite of Cocteau, who sought solace here in 1924 after the death of his companion Raymond Radiguet. Several years later, Cocteau convinced locals to let him paint the neglected 14th century Chapelle St-Pierre, which he transformed into a mirage of mystical frescoes. Scenes from St. Peter’s life are interspersed with references to Cocteau's cinematic work—notably the drivers from Orpheus—and his friends—Francine Weisweiller, whose Villa Santo Sospir in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat Cocteau also decorated.
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