Josephine Baker

$275.00 

This variant is currently sold out

Josephine Baker portrait in gouache by Liz Langley framed in antique gold frame
Josephine Baker portrait in gouache by Liz Langley framed in black frame
Josephine Baker portrait in gouache by Liz Langley framed in white frame
Josephine Baker portrait in gouache by Liz Langley framed in antique gold frame
Josephine Baker portrait in gouache by Liz Langley

The idea for the Illustrious Women series came to me in early 2017. It seemed there was a collective need to celebrate the feminine, and I wanted to draw attention to and educate myself about the many women who have gone before me- women who lived the lives they wanted to and bettered the world in the process.

Josephine Baker

  • Original gouache painting on 100% cotton paper
  • Paper is approximately 5x6 inches; shown in 10x12 frames
  • Signed on reverse
  • Unframed

Josephine Baker was a celebrated entertainer and activist who was born in St. Louis, MO in 1906. She started out in smaller shows in the US, but achieved celebrity status in France, where society was more integrated and accepting of her scantily-clad dancing. Her "Danse Sauvage" banana skirt act at the Folies Bergere is iconic, and she and her performances were extremely sought after. She received many gifts and proposals, but despite marrying four times supported herself as she had done since her teen years. She used her earnings to care for many animals and she also adopted 12 children. Despite her European fame and success, when she returned to the US to perform, she faced harsh reviews and discrimination due to her skin color. On her return to France, she worked on behalf of French government intelligence and the Free French movement. After the war, she began performing again and returned to the US, where she won a public battle over the desegregation of her audience. She became involved the American civil rights movement and worked with the NAACP and Martin Luther King Jr. She died in 1975, only a few days following a career retrospective performance that earned her rave reviews.

This is an original work of art and may show evidence of the painting process such as tiny flecks of paint or light pencil marks, which are considered part of the work. Please see detail photos or contact with any questions.

Photos represent color as accurately as possible but there may be slight variation from the screen to the actual painting.

Unframed pieces will ship within a week from the studio San Diego, CA. Please allow an additional 2-3 weeks for framing.

All prices include ground shipping within the United States.

International shipping options will be offered and calculated upon checkout. Any customs fees or duties assessed by the country of delivery are the responsibility of the purchaser. 

Josephine Baker portrait in gouache by Liz Langley framed in antique gold frame
Josephine Baker portrait in gouache by Liz Langley framed in black frame
Josephine Baker portrait in gouache by Liz Langley framed in white frame
Josephine Baker portrait in gouache by Liz Langley framed in antique gold frame
Josephine Baker portrait in gouache by Liz Langley