Le Caducee 1963 by Jean Cocteau Modernist Surrealist Art Print

Emerging from the avant-garde spirit of 20th-century French modernism, This print showcases a masterful interplay of mythic symbolism and minimalist line work. The composition centers on a slender blue vertical staff entwined with winding red serpentine forms, flanked by two mirrored profiles with winged crowns. Cocteau’s signature hand is evident in the loose, expressive red strokes that define the figures, set against a rich, textured ochre backdrop that mimics the weave of a tapestry.

The piece evokes a sense of ancient wisdom reinterpreted through a surrealist lens. By reimagining the Caduceus—a symbol traditionally associated with Hermes and healing—Cocteau creates a visual poem about duality and connection. Looking at it, one feels a pull toward the mystical and the theatrical, reflecting the artist’s own diverse career across poetry, film, and visual arts. It carries an aura of intellectual curiosity and mid-century sophistication.

It fits the same shelf as our mid century modern art, and sits comfortably next to jean cocteau posters.