Louis Aragon

Aragon founded the surrealist review ‘Littérature’ with Breton, whom he’d met studying medicine; Soupault. Pérét, Picabia, Tzara and Éluard were all fellow-members of Paris surrealism/dada circles. Triolet, whom he married, was a strong influence on his writings; Ehrenburg was a friend of both. He demanded Picasso draw a frontispiece for his first book of poems. Meeting Matisse during WWII, he started a book on him, only completed in 1970. Richter met him rarely, but felt in touch through Aragon’s writings. Sartre suggested the faithful communist visit Cuba, while Lefebvre complained about his lack of support.