Maison de Santé 1926

Jean Cocteau made this drawing called Maison de Santé, we're not sure exactly when or with what. Look at how the body here is described with a simple, looping line. It’s so reduced, almost like a diagram, but somehow it still conveys the feeling of flesh and bone. Cocteau's drawing reminds me that art-making can be a process of constant refinement. It's like you start with an idea, and then you keep stripping away the unnecessary details until you’re left with only the essential elements. And then those marks trailing out from the body... what are they? Some kind of vital essence leaking out? I think it's interesting how Cocteau leaves things open to interpretation. You see this same tendency towards openness in the work of Picasso, who knew Cocteau. I think they both leave space for you to bring your own experiences to the work. Art isn’t about answers, it's more about creating a space for questions, a space for seeing, and thinking, and feeling in new ways.