Photo : Cliché Simon Cau
Malraux and Éditions Kra, 1919-1921: A Reciprocal Springboard?
Uncover the lesser-known roots of André Malraux's legendary career through his early and turbulent days in the Parisian publishing world. This deep dive into his formative years reveals the spark that ignited a life of art, adventure, and immense influence.
Bibliothèque Forney (Paris 4th)
About
The Bibliothèque Forney invites you to an insightful lecture exploring the early career of André Malraux within the publishing world. On Tuesday, December 01, 2026, from 19:00 to 21:00, researcher Simon Cau will examine the professional relationship between the young writer and publisher Simon Kra between 1919 and 1921. This event, officially labeled as part of the Cinquantenaire André Malraux, offers a unique look at how this brief collaboration shaped both the author's trajectory and the Kra publishing house. Admission is free for adults aged 18 and over, but advance booking is strictly required to attend this session in the 4th arrondissement.
André Malraux (1901-1976) was at once a novelist, art critic, adventurer with sometimes questionable actions, scandalous storyteller, fighter, resistance member, and even a visionary minister. What is little or not at all known is the starting point of this extraordinary trajectory.
In the spring of 1919, at eighteen years old, André Malraux became a "supplier of rare books" for several booksellers. One of them, Simon Kra, gave him the chance to collaborate with the publishing house he had just created. Soon, the young Malraux was appointed literary director of Éditions Kra / Le Sagittaire. He published several illustrated books by established authors and launched a "modern" collection, pairing emerging authors with prominent artists like Picasso or Derain. However, the collaboration ended abruptly in the summer of 1921…
Simon Cau will examine the extent to which this short-lived experience served as a launchpad for the young Malraux's career and will question its impact on the development of Éditions Kra.
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The Speaker
Longtime exhibition curator and art mediator, Simon Cau is now an independent provenance researcher, currently commissioned by the Mission for the Research and Restitution of Cultural Property Spoliated between 1933 and 1945 (M2RS) of the Ministry of Culture. His work focuses on books and libraries looted during the Second World War.
For several years, Simon Cau has been conducting in-depth research on the Kra family of booksellers and publishers. In early 2027, he will announce the creation of an association dedicated to this family, who are little-known today but who left a mark on the literary and artistic history of the interwar period.
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This event has received the "André Malraux Fiftieth Anniversary" label.
(inoperative for now)
Our take on this event
This lecture investigates a formative period in André Malraux’s life, beginning in 1919 when he first started working for publisher Simon Kra. As the literary director of Éditions Kra and Le Sagittaire, the young Malraux pioneered collections that brought together emerging authors and influential artists, including Picasso and Derain. Researcher Simon Cau examines how this intense collaboration, which lasted until the summer of 1921, served as a launchpad for Malraux's future career while leaving a distinct mark on the publishing landscape of the interwar period.
Simon Cau, a specialist in provenance research, shares his extensive findings on the Kra family, whose significant role in literary and artistic history remains largely unrecognized. He will also announce the upcoming creation of an association dedicated to the family, scheduled for early 2027. The event carries the official Cinquantenaire André Malraux label.
Join us on Tuesday, December 01, 2026, from 19:00 to 21:00 at the Bibliothèque Forney. Attendance is free, but registration is mandatory. Please note that this event is intended for an audience aged 18 and older.
