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had actually had little or no hand in its composition.
In
part, as Breton
later stressed, this was because his status as a refugee prohibited him from
engaging in overt political action (although it clearly did not prevent
him from writing numerous polemical articles during his stay in Mexico).
But it was also because Trotsky believed that the manifesto on
art
should
be signed by two artists.
With the manifesto completed, it was time for Breton finally to
leave Mexico. He and Trotsky bade each other a warm farewell at the
end of July, "on the sun-drenched patio of the Blue House in
Coyoadn, amidst cactus, orange trees, bougainvillea, and idols." Trotsky
disappeared into the house and returned with the original manuscript of
"For an Independent Revolutionary Art," which he presented to his co–
author as a gift - the only time, said Heijenoort, that Trotsky had ever
given away one of his manuscripts . Breton, profoundly moved, gave
Trotsky in return a portrait of himself by Man Ray, with the inscription:
"To Leon Trotsky, in commemoration of the days spent in his light,
with my absolute admiration and devotion."
