Leonide Massine

1910–1920

Formation: poet and graphic artist

In 1910–1920 he took shape as a poet — paying tribute to Dada in the collection “Poèmes” and to Surrealism in “Opéra” — and became especially well known as a graphic artist devoted to Cubism. His outlook was shaped by Erik Satie, Diaghilev’s Russian ballet, Stravinsky’s music, Picasso’s work and Apollinaire’s poetry.

1914–1918

The war years: Apollinaire, Picasso, Modigliani

During the First World War he met the poet Guillaume Apollinaire, the artists Pablo Picasso and Amedeo Modigliani, and numerous other writers and artists with whom he later collaborated.

1918–1923

Friendship with Raymond Radiguet

In 1918 he met the poet Raymond Radiguet; they collaborated on literary projects and travelled together, and Cocteau helped him obtain exemption from military service, arranged for Grasset to publish his novel “Le Diable au corps,” and used his influence to have it awarded the “Nouveau Monde” prize.