Oil on canvas, framed. Featuring a seated nude. Unsigned. A label affixed to verso inscribed ETUDE TAJAN with Ref: 223725/99 / Estimate: 1000/1500 / Vente: 104/01 / Artist: COLiN. In pencil inscribed M? Colin with notation below and dated 15/2/52. IEGOR auction house label inscribed B-1764 on verso. On stretcher bars inscribed in pencil PAUL COLIN and illegibly inscribed on the stretcher bars near the top right corner. Attributed to Paul Colin (1892-1985, French). 27 x 21 cm (10.6 x 8.3 inches). Framed size: 36 x 32 cm (14.2 x 12.6 inches). PROVENANCE: Private Canadian collection

Paul Colin (1892-1985) 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

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Signed [Artist Name] : In cases in which the signature is legible in the lot, this work is described as-is with no attributions given.

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In the manner of [Artist Name] : The work was executed by an unknown hand, but was designed deliberately to emulate the style of the artist.

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American, 19th century : This work was executed by an unknown hand, and can only be identified by origin (i.e., region, period).