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      Claude Tarnaud

      1922 - 1991

      At a glance

      • Top-ranked work: The Elements (Les élementaux)
      • Nationality: France
      • Top 3 works: The Elements (Les élementaux)
      • Copyright status: Under copyright
      • Died: 1991

      A Life of Poetry and Painting

      Claude Tarnaud was a French poet, painter, and collagist. Born in Maisons-Laffitte, France, his creative journey was deeply intertwined with the surrealist movement. During the Second World War, he discovered surrealism and jazz, experiences that shaped his early artistic identity. He was a founding member of the journal La Révolution La Nuit in 1946 and later participated in the journal Néon. His life was marked by a period of self-imposed isolation, a choice he maintained until his death in Avignon, France.

      His literary and visual output often explored the concept of a "mythic-lived" existence, attempting to bridge the gap between reality and the imaginary. His work was frequently accompanied by illustrations, including those by his wife, Henriette de Champrel. Throughout his travels—from Geneva to Mogadiscio, New Delhi, and New York—Tarnaud maintained a complex relationship with the world, often seeking a "silence" that defined his later years.

      Literary and Artistic Contributions

      Tarnaud's body of work includes several significant prose works and poetic endeavors. His bibliography includes:

      His artistic presence was also felt through his involvement in the 1947 International Surrealist Exhibition and his collaboration with various journals such as Positions and Phases. His life was characterized by a pursuit of an invented existence, often through the medium of writing and visual experimentation.

      Questions & Answers

      How many artworks by Claude Tarnaud are available to browse?

      You can browse 1 artwork by Claude Tarnaud on the All Artworks page.

      Where is Claude Tarnaud from?

      Claude Tarnaud was born in France.

      Where are Claude Tarnaud's artworks grouped by keywords?

      The By Keywords page of Claude Tarnaud groups the artist's artworks by their keywords.

      Where can I see Claude Tarnaud's artworks in chronological order?

      Claude Tarnaud's artworks can be seen in chronological order on the artist's Artwork Timeline page.

      A little quiz

      There is only one correct answer for each question.

      Question 1:
      In which city was Claude Tarnaud born?
      Question 2:
      Which surrealist figure did Tarnaud meet in Paris and form a friendship with?
      Question 3:
      In 1951, Tarnaud married whom?
      Question 4:
      In which city did Tarnaud work as a translator for the UN?
      Question 5:
      Which jazz pianist did Tarnaud greatly venerate?