Who said “One must be a living man and a posthumous artist.”?

Verified

Jean Cocteau. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceLe Coq et l’Arlequin (1918)

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Le Coq et l’Arlequin (1918).

APA

Cocteau, J. (n.d.). One must be a living man and a posthumous artist. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/7228-one-must-be-a-living-man-and-a/

MLA

Cocteau, Jean. “One must be a living man and a posthumous artist.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/7228-one-must-be-a-living-man-and-a/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Cocteau, Jean. “One must be a living man and a posthumous artist.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/7228-one-must-be-a-living-man-and-a/.