Josephine Baker - The Black Venus
Starting her career after runing away from home, Josephine Baker began dancing as street-performer in St Louis. Within a couple years, at just 15 years old, she started dancing in vaudeville. She soon moved to New York City during the Harlem Renaissance after the end of the first World War. There she performed on Broadway and at numerous night clubs where she was billed the highest-paid chorus girl in vaudeville.
In 1925, she opened in Paris and became the talk of the town, notably for her erotic and semi-nude dancing. Paris was, at that time, obsessed with African and African-American culture, art, music and dance. And her exotic performances earned her the nicknames the “Black Venus,” “Black Pearl” and “Creole Goddess.”
After touring Europe, she headlined at the famous Folies Bergère where she performed in just high heels, a banana skirt and her pet cheetah. This opened the doors to a film and singing career which later turned her into a French cultural icon.
Writer Ernest Hemingway described Baker as “the most sensational woman anyone ever saw . . . or ever will.” She however never reached the same level of noteriety in the U.S.
She renounced her American citizenship in 1937 and became a citizen of France. During World War II, she worked with the French underground and was awarded the Legion of Honor.
Later, in the 1950s and 60s, she supported the U.S. civil rights movement by refusing to to perform at any segregated night clubs. She also adoped a dozen multi-cultural orphaned children, she called her “Rainbow Tribe”.
Along side of Martin Luther King, Jr., she spoke at the March on Washington in August 1963 where Dr. King gave his famous “I have a dream” speech.
The National Portrait Gallery exhibit Josephine Baker: Image and Icon displays vintage photographs, posters, drawings, prints and paintings in celebration of the 100th anniversary of her birth.
Throughout her life, Baker was married six times, including one just as a publicity stunt.
A poinent quote of her’s is “We can make all our dreams come true, but first we have to decide to awaken from them.”
Josephine Baker: Image and Icon
National Portrait Gallery
Eighth and F Streets, NW,
Washington, DC 20001
Hours - Daily 11:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Through March 18th
Admission - Free
Nearest Metro subway station – Metro Gallery Place-Chinatown - Red, Yellow and Green lines
Photo credits: image 3 courtesy of National Portrait Gallery, photos - Josephine Baker estate.
2 Comments
Josephine Baker, what can I say about such a extraordinary woman… She was a very talented singer and a true pioneer. I was a shame that early America was so mean to her and could not see past her color. She hoped people would see people for who they were not their color but unfortunately she never got to see such world. I don’t think that I will live long enough to see it my self. I do admire her and her valiant effort to change the lives of 12 children, going broke only showed how selfless she really was. Bravo Josephine, Je vous adorerai pour jamais, “vous l’avez fait votre façon”…
she is such an insperation.