Original French Art Deco Period Poster by Paul Colin 1928

This is an original French Art Deco Period advertising poster ‘Marguerite Valmond’ by Paul Colin printed by H. Chachoin. Made famous in 1928, spectacular and exquisitely made. This large colored lithograph features a detailed, chanteuse in a wistful mood. Among the most elusive of Colin’s portraits of performers, this is also one of his best-a sensitive study. The poster was run off with the name misspelled “Valmont”; instead of reprinting it, Chachoin ran off a quantity of “D”s and pasted them on. The color is slightly mismatched-the interest value only enhanced. Here, the poster is offered with “D”. This is a magnificent large, French Art Deco period poster by the artist Paul Colin who worked for over forty years in the theatre, creating not only posters but also numerous sets and costumes.

Creator: Paul Colin (Artist)
Of the Period: Art Deco
Place of origin: France
Date of Manufacture: 1928
Period: Early 20th Century
Condition: Excellent. This is a lithograph in color printed on paper professional framed. It is very good condition as seen in the detail images.
Wear: Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses.
Measurements: Framed 67″ tall X 50″ Wide x 1″ deep x unframed 62 1/2″ tall x 46. 1/2″ wide

Artist Biography
Paul Colin was one of France’s greatest poster artists, best known for creating over 1,400 posters for the Revue Nègre, as well as numerous sets and costumes. A student of Eugène Vallin and of Victor Prouvé, he is considered a master of the modern school of poster art. His style is highly personal and impossible to categorize. The evocative force of his posters for grand causes marks him as a master of visual communication and his work remains relevant and fresh today.

Paul Colin was born in 1892 in Nancy, France. As a teenager, Paul Colin apprenticed at a printing house before enrolling at L’École des Beaux-Arts, and he would later work in the company of Eugène Vallin. He was commended for his masterful integration of organic and figural subjects with geometric forms. His style, which was influenced by both Cubism and Surrealism, frequently employed bold shapes, striking colours, caricature, and highly stylised forms.

When still an aspiring artist, Paul Colin was commissioned by a friend at the Theatre des Champs-Elysees to design a poster publicizing La Revue Nègre, starring Josephine Baker. Josephine Baker accepted Colin’s invitation to come to his studio to pose for the poster. Paul Colin and Josephine Baker became lovers and life-long friends. Their relationship was fortuitous for both, leading to a very successful artistic career for Colin, and introducing Baker through Colin to Paris’ artistic elite. Colin also designed some film sets in the 1930s, including for Fritz Lang’s Carnet le Bal (1937). Paul Colin died in 1985 in Monte Carlo, Monaco.