Jean Cocteau (French 1889-1963)
Painter of abstracts and influential teacher, he began his studies at the South West Essex Technical College and School of Art, 1949-50; followed by St Martin's School of Art, London, 1950-51 and Slade School of Fine Art, London, 1951-54. Cohen taught for periods in London at Ealing School of Art, Chelsea and Wimbledon and was Slade professor and chairman of fine art, London University, from 1988. His early work was influenced by Abstract Expressionism and later was very colourful and detailed, full of imagery and a variety of texture, as shown in the special show at the Tate in 1995.
