2023-04

Digital collections

Handwritten letter from Jean Cocteau to Antonio de Zulueta y Besson

April 2023

10 April 1959
My dear Antonio de Zulueta y Besson,

You are well aware of my love for this Spain that has forever left banderillas lodged in my heart.

However, unfortunately I have been seriously unwell and at present the new blood in my bottle advises against the fatigue of a Festival. Being the President of your Cannes counterpart, I could only visit it as a ghost. But your letter touches me deeply and gives me an excuse to repeat my attentive fondness towards all things Spanish.

Yours,
Jean Cocteau

During 1953 and 1954, at the age of 65 and recently recovered from a heart attack, the avant-garde poet, artist and filmmaker Jean Cocteau was president of the Jury at the Festival de Cannes. Five years later he could have held the same position at the San Sebastian Festival on invitation by the director at that time, Antonio de Zulueta y Besson, but his delicate health prevented him from accepting. However, the following year, the event included in its competition his latest movie, Le Testament d’Orphée, with which the French artist completed his trilogy on the subject of Orpheus. Cocteau died four years after sending this hand-written letter from the Villa Santo-Sospir, location for the filming of his movie and the filmmaker’s place of residence for eleven years during which he painted the walls and ceilings of his subsequently nicknamed “tattooed villa”.

Document

Handwritten letter from Jean Cocteau to Antonio de Zulueta y Besson

Identity statement area

ID: 35684

Catalogue number: AO1958-1964.0378

Location: M01.B02.C09

Classification scheme: 4.1.4. International directors

Title: Handwritten letter from Jean Cocteau to Antonio de Zulueta y Besson

Date of creation: 1959-04-10

Level of description: Simple documentary unit

Extent and medium of the unit of description: 1959-04-10

Content and structure area