Jean Cocteau (attributed), ink drawing Jean Maurice Eugène Clément Cocteau (July 5, 1889 - October 11, 1963) was a French poet, playwright, novelist, cartoonist, filmmaker, visual artist and critic. He was one of the greatest creators of the surrealist, avant-garde and dadaist movements; and one of the most influential figures in early 20th century art as a whole. The National Observer has suggested that “of the artistic generation whose audacity gave birth to twentieth-century art, Cocteau comes closest to being a Renaissance man.