Object Details
- Artist
- Paul Colin, 27 Jun 1892 - 17 Aug 1985
- Sitter
- Josephine Baker, 3 Jun 1906 - 12 Apr 1975
- Exhibition Label
- Born Saint Louis, Missouri
- Josephine Baker took Paris by storm in 1925 when she appeared with the American troupe called La Revue Nègre. An innovative dancer, Baker developed a style that reflected a number of influences, from early black vaudeville to music hall and ballet. In Paris, she received instruction from some of the most important choreographers and dancers of the era. The famous dancer Serge Lifar described Baker as “the high priestess of an art which she has interpreted under the sign of Genius.” Artist Paul Colin, whose posters of Baker launched her career as well as his, made these studies. They relate to the images in his 1927 portfolio of lithographs, Le Tumulte Noir, which celebrated the rage for American jazz, the Charleston, and “La Baker.”
- These colorful drawings show Baker dancing animatedly and reveal Colin’s early involvement in Baker’s career in Paris.
- Credit Line
- National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
- 1925
- Object number
- NPG.98.118
- Restrictions & Rights
- Usage conditions apply
- Copyright
- © 1997 Estate of Paul Colin / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris
- Type
- Drawing
- Medium
- Ink and watercolor on paper
- Dimensions
- Sheet: 20.5 x 15.2 cm (8 1/16 x 6")
- Mat: 55.9 x 40.6 cm (22 x 16")
- Place
- France\Île-de-France\Ville de Paris, Départment de\Paris
- See more items in
- National Portrait Gallery Collection
- Location
- Currently not on view
- National Portrait Gallery
- Topic
- Josephine Baker: Female
- Josephine Baker: Arts and Culture\Performing Arts\Music\Musician\Singer
- Josephine Baker: Arts and Culture\Performing Arts\Film\Movie actor
- Josephine Baker: Arts and Culture\Performing Arts\Dance\Dancer
- Josephine Baker: Legion of Honor
- Portrait
- Record ID
- npg_NPG.98.118
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/sm4285a05ab-8eca-48cc-93e6-e5369c5f78cb
