Jean Cocteau was a true Renaissance man, but he is best remembered for his work as an Avant-Garde cinematographer. Jean Cocteau was a true master of the Surreal, and one of the Surrealist’s most versatile artists, and also one of the most influential creative figures in Paris. He was an artist who idealised classicism such as Greek mythology.

One of many celebrated artists to create lithographs at Atelier Mourlot, Cocteau was very fond of the studio. In 1955, he wrote a poem dedicated to the famous print shop; 'Walls have ears, they even have mouths, Mourlot posters, presents to you one of their songs, one of their cries.'