Object Details
- Artist
- Stanislaw Julian Ignacy Ostroróg, known as Walery, 12 Sep 1863 – 22 Feb 1929
- Sitter
- Josephine Baker, 3 Jun 1906 - 12 Apr 1975
- Exhibition Label
- Born St. Louis, Missouri
- At age nineteen, Josephine Baker sailed to France with dreams of fame that were beyond her reach in the United States. Within days of her arrival, she made her breakout performance in La revue nègre (1925) and became the toast of Paris. Her eccentric whimsy, anatomy-defying movements, and supercharged energy left audiences dazzled.
- A still image could never capture Baker’s dynamic performance style. But this publicity photograph conveys an impression of her infectious humor and high spirits. With a sidelong glance and a merry, mischievous smile, she dances the Charleston in the 1926 revue La folie du jour (Madness of the day).
- As the most famous African American woman in Paris, Baker was doubly burdened by racial and national stereotypes. The photograph shows her performing the latest American dance sensation before an ultramodern urban backdrop. Yet, illogically, her costume is a pseudo-African grass skirt with feathers worn on her ankles and wrists.
- Nacida en St. Louis, Misuri
- A sus 19 años, Josephine Baker zarpó para Francia soñando con una fama que no podía alcanzar en Estados Unidos. A pocos días de llegar, hizo su exitoso debut en La revue nègre (1925) y se convirtió en la sensación de París. Sus movimientos excéntricos de agilidad increíble y su poderosa energía deslumbraban al público.
- Una imagen fija nunca podría captar el dinámico estilo de Baker en sus espectáculos. Pero esta fotografía publicitaria nos da un indicio de su contagioso humor y su entusiasmo. Mirando de reojo con una sonrisa alegre y maliciosa, baila el charlestón en la revista de 1926 La folie du jour (La locura del día).
- Siendo la afroamericana más famosa de París, Baker afrontó el doble estereotipo de raza y nacionalidad. En la fotografía, ejecuta el baile estadounidense que era la sensación del momento contra un fondo urbano ultramoderno. Pero, ilógicamente, lleva una falda pseudoafricana de paja con plumas en las muñecas y los tobillos.
- Credit Line
- National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
- 1926
- Object number
- NPG.95.105
- Restrictions & Rights
- CC0
- Type
- Photograph
- Medium
- Gelatin silver print
- Dimensions
- Image: 22.2 × 16.2 cm (8 3/4 × 6 3/8")
- Sheet: 23.2 × 17.9 cm (9 1/8 × 7 1/16")
- Mount: 32 × 23.9 cm (12 5/8 × 9 7/16")
- Mat: 55.9 × 40.6 cm (22 × 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
- Costume\Dress Accessory\Flower
- Interior\Performing Arts\Theatrical\Stage
- Costume\Jewelry\Bracelet
- Home Furnishings\Mirror
- 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.95.105
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/sm4d6382805-215f-4cc4-8877-2da3de37e358
