This striking 1951 original poster by the renowned French graphic artist Paul Colin announces the celebrated Bal des Arts, held on June 27, 1951 at the Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild in Paris. Titled Les Mystères de Paris, the event draws on the romantic and enigmatic aura of the French capital, referencing Eugène Sue's famed 19th-century serialized novel of the same name.
Known for his dynamic use of color, theatrical compositions, and bold figuration, Colin captures the spirit of both the avant-garde and the fantastical in this work. A parade of mysterious characters—costumed figures and masked revelers—emerge against a dramatic backdrop, evoking both the literary roots and the surreal flair of the themed masquerade.
The Bal des Arts was an iconic fixture of the Parisian cultural scene, blending high society, bohemian flair, and artistic performance. Colin’s poster not only promoted the event but became an artwork in its own right, merging design and celebration.
A remarkable piece of postwar Parisian ephemera, this poster is a vivid example of Paul Colin’s singular style and the exuberant cultural life of 1950s Paris—a coveted collectible for enthusiasts of graphic design, modernist poster art, and French cultural history.
Show - Dance - France
Hotel Salomon de Rothschild
Printed by S.A. Courbet in Paris
Good condition
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