Josephine Baker (c.1935)

Josephine Baker  (1906-1975) was an American-born French dancer and singer who symbolized the beauty and vitality of black American culture which took Paris by storm in the 1920s. By 1928 – the year this painting was made – she was the most famous entertainer in Europe.

Paul Colin studied painting and architecture in his hometown of Nancy before the First War took him to the trenches. After the fighting, he moved to Paris as a poster painter and here began a passionate affair with Baker which matured into a long, faithful and artistically fruitful friendship. With Baker as his muse, Colin a series of iconic posters, recognized as masterpieces of graphic art.

Paul Colin’s work has been offered at auction multiple times, the record price being 53,738 USD for The Black Tumult sold at Ader in 2024.