Josephine Baker Print by Paul Colin from "Le Tumulte Noir, " 1927

Paul Colin (French , 1892-1985) was a French artist widely recognized for his imaginatively configured art deco posters depicting many well known theatre performers in Paris in the 1920's and 1930's, such as Josephine Baker and modernist figures and nudes. He also specialized in theatre sets, book designs, and costume design. Influenced by Cubism and jazz, he often employed a collage-like methodology to his work, juxtaposing highly stylized figural compositions against geometrically overlapping objects.He was a student of Valin and Prouvre. He created performance posters that were highly stylized, for studio, arts and dance. He was awarded an inspiring graphic artist and had his own unique style as he embraced symbolism and an abstract style.