Claude Cahun
French artist (1894–1954) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Claude Cahun (French pronunciation: [klod ka.œ̃], born Lucy Renee Mathilde Schwob;[2] 25 October 1894 – 8 December 1954) was a French surrealist photographer, sculptor, and writer.[3]
Claude Cahun | |
---|---|
Born | Lucy Renee Mathilde Schwob (1894-10-25)25 October 1894 Nantes, France |
Died | 8 December 1954(1954-12-08) (aged 60) |
Resting place | St Brelade's Church 49.1841°N 2.2029°W / 49.1841; -2.2029 |
Known for | Photography, writing, sculpture, collage |
Movement | Surrealism |
Partner | Marcel Moore (1909–1954)[1] |
Schwob adopted the pseudonym Claude Cahun in 1914.[4] Cahun is best known as a writer and self-portraitist, who assumed a variety of performative personae.
In her writing she consistently referred to herself as elle (she),[5] and this article follows her practice; but she also said that her actual gender was fluid. For example, in Disavowals, Cahun writes: "Masculine? Feminine? It depends on the situation. Neuter is the only gender that always suits me."[6] Cahun is most well known for her androgynous appearance, which challenged the strict gender roles of her time.
During World War II, Cahun was also active as a resistance worker and propagandist. Founding the leftist group Contre Attaque alongside Andre Breton and Batallie; a union of communist writers, artists and workers. [7]