Paul Colin (artist) facts for kids

Paul Colin (born June 27, 1892 – died June 18, 1985) was a famous French artist. He was born in Nancy, France and passed away in Nogent-sur-Marne. Paul Colin was a master at creating posters, especially for the Art Deco style. He was a relative of Alexandre-Marie Colin, another artist.

Colin was a professional artist, graphic designer, and theater painter. He designed theater sets, books, and costumes. During his life, he made over 1,900 posters. He also worked in theater for more than 40 years. People admired his art because it mixed natural shapes with geometric forms. His work was influenced by Surrealism and Cubism. He often used very big shapes, bright colors, and stylish art forms. He used many colors to show the energy of his subjects. His art is a great example of the Art Deco movement. Many of his famous pictures were made for Jazz Age music and theater. His designs included jazz elements and bold colors. He often showed human-like figures next to geometric objects. His background in painting and love for theater helped him become a top French poster artist in the 1920s and 1930s.

Colin created posters for famous places like the Folies Bergère and the Moulin Rouge. He also designed for the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées. He made posters for festivals, exhibitions, and different companies. For example, he designed posters for French movies. He also created stage and costume designs for plays. Paul Colin taught art for over 40 years. He ran his own graphic arts school in Paris, called "Ecole Paul Colin." Many talented designers learned from him there.

He was the teacher of painter Philippe Derome. He also taught the poster artist duo Lefor-Openo. One of his original posters sold for a lot of money. It was a poster for singer Adelaide Hall advertising Blackbirds. This poster sold for $167,500 in 2003. This was a record price for a Paul Colin poster.

Paul Colin's Life and Art

Paul Colin was a master of the Art Deco poster style. He was one of the most important graphic artists of his time. He created more than 1,900 posters. He was also skilled at designing books, theater sets, and costumes. When he was 15, he started working at a printing house in Nancy. In 1913, he joined L'Ecole des Beaux-Arts, a famous art school in Paris. He did very well in his studies there. Later, he started his art career with help from Eugène Vallin. Vallin was a well-known furniture designer and architect. Victor Prouvé, a sculptor and painter, also helped him. Colin was also a teacher to Louise Bourgeois, a famous installation artist.

Throughout his career, Colin made the Art Deco style his own. He changed his style as he learned more about symbolism and abstract art. He was very good at making his work look simple, even when it was complex. He designed many posters for performers over his lifetime. These posters show the history of Parisian entertainment. His posters are very stylish. They focus on performing arts, dance, and theater. His art is known for its bold images and clear lines. His bright colors are also a key part of his work. They show his excellent skills in visual communication.

Josephine Baker and Paul Colin's Collaboration

A portrait of Josephine Baker

In 1925, Josephine Baker and her dance group performed in Paris. They were at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées. They were performing a new dance called the Charleston. This was during the peak of the Jazz Age. Josephine Baker was a symbol of that exciting time. Her show in France was a huge success in 1925. Paul Colin designed bold posters and sets for her. He used red, black, and white colors. These designs celebrated the arrival of the African American dancers. Colin's art captured the lively moves of the Charleston dance. It also showed the rhythms of the new jazz music.

In 1926, Baker left the show and her group. But her fame continued to grow. She gave amazing performances in Paris clubs. In 1927, she helped publish a memoir. Paul Colin created the illustrations for it.

That same year, Baker became even more popular. Colin organized a huge event for her. About 3,000 Parisians attended it. The event was a big success. People were very excited about Baker's music and dancing. This led Colin to create a series of works called Le Tumulte Noir in 1929. This was a celebration of Baker's impact. Baker is shown twice in these artworks. These pieces honored Josephine Baker and other African American performers. They caught the attention of Parisians during the années folles (the "crazy years"). Colin's bright colors and lines showed the amazing talent of these dancers and musicians.

Paul Colin met Josephine Baker during her rehearsals. He watched her practice for hours. He was very impressed with Josephine. He convinced the theater to make her the main star. Then, they planned a big theater event. It included dinner with caviar and champagne. The next morning, the Parisian newspapers praised Josephine. Colin's poster made Josephine a huge star in the city. The two artists became lifelong friends.

Their meeting was lucky for both of them. Baker found a loyal supporter. He introduced her to French society and top artists in Paris. Colin found a muse for his art. He created about 1,900 posters and hundreds of stage sets. This helped him become a leading artist in French graphic arts. Josephine became one of the biggest stars of the Paris Opera. She was one of the most popular entertainers in Paris. Their story shows the teamwork between two artists. It also shows the excitement for music during the "jazz boom" in Paris. Both Josephine Baker and Paul Colin received the Croix de Guerre. This award recognized their bravery during the war.

Paul Colin's Career Journey

In 1923, Paul Colin met André Daven. Daven was the new director of the Champs-Elysées theater. He was looking for new talent and shows. Two years later, Colin designed his first poster for the film Le Voyage Imaginaire. In the same year, he started working with Josephine Baker. Colin captured the spirit of the Jazz Age in Paris. He did this through his work for Le Tumulte Noir. This poster made him famous. He then created other works in his unique style. He also designed sets for theater and films. These designs made him well-known across Paris. Paul Colin opened his poster school in 1930. This school trained many talented designers for the future. Paul Colin continued to work until the 1970s. For over 40 years, he worked in theater. He created almost 2,000 posters and hundreds of stage sets.