Philippe Halsman (1906-1979)
Title: Jean Cocteau with actress Ricki Soma and dancer Leo Coleman. New York City. USA. 1949.
Gelatin-silver print
Year: 1949's
Philippe Halsman Estate authentication ink seal stamp - Magnum Square Print Edition
Photo size approx.: 10 x 10 inches

Philippe Halsman
French poet, artist and filmmaker Jean Cocteau with actress Ricki Soma and dancer Leo Coleman. New York City. USA. 1949.

“For one incredible night, Halsman and Cocteau came together and created magic. It was 1949, and Cocteau was in NYC to promote his new film, ‘The Eagle Has Two Heads.’ Life magazine asked him to visit Halsman’s studio.

The two artists had briefly crossed paths in Paris in the 1930s, resulting in a few backstage theatre shots. But now Halsman was at the height of his career, and was looking forward to capturing the creative genius of Cocteau. Halsman assembled various elements for the shoot: 12 doves, a snake, an anatomical torso, and two dancers; Ricki Soma and Leo Coleman.

At first Cocteau was a reserved, yet willing actor. He followed Halsman’s directions, posed, and then asked what to do next. Halsman recalled the shoot’s early stages: ‘To my immense disappointment I saw that instead of becoming the instrument of his imagination he was ready to be the instrument of mine.’ It was only in the early hours of the following day that Cocteau began to warm up and become more playful, and the imaginations of the pair merged as one. Cocteau is shown as an artist with his subject in a frame, yet simultaneously he is the subject of the frame of Halsman’s lens. Art had come to life.”

Excellent