Paul Colin : Absolute classic

This is what I love about doing this blog : pick an artist and review his work, an absolute delight each day !

Today is a particular treat because its an artist with an absolutely massive oeuvre of high quality work

Paul Colin (27 June 1892 in Nancy, France – 18 June 1985 in Nogent-sur-Marne) was one of France’s greatest poster artists.

Made famous in 1925 by his poster for the Revue Nègre, which helped to launch the career of Josephine Baker (who became his mistress), he worked for over forty years in the theatre, creating not only posters but also numerous sets and costumes.

Very Art déco at the outset, (his Le Tumulte noir is a masterpiece of the genre), his style quickly became highly personal and impossible to categorize: the synthetic accuracy of his portraits, the evocative force of his posters for grand causes so marked him as a master of visual communication that his work today remains relevant and fresh. A student of Eugène Vallin and of Victor Prouvé, he is considered a master of the modern school of poster art. He is the author of over 1400 posters and many theatrical set and costume designs.

He was the master of painter Philippe Derome and poster artists duo Lefor-Openo

Because of his vast output, Colin is another artist with a surprisingly affordable offerings with many available in the £150 bracket.

Two absolute peaches are on offer in next weeks Christies Sale (things must be going well as the last one was only in June)

Paul Colin Leroy Christies sale
Paul Colin Leroy Christies sale
Paul Colin Luna Park Christies sale
Paul Colin Luna Park Christies sale

Both extremely valuable (well it is Christies) We will go through some more affordable offerings tomorrow and the cover the balance of the Christies sale. Blogging posters rocks !!

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