Projet pour une illustration sur les mutilés de guerre Circa 1940

In this poignant and rare original gouache and aquarelle, renowned French artist Paul Colin turns his talent toward a deeply human and somber subject: war mutilation and its aftermath. Created around 1940, during or just after the outbreak of World War II, the artwork appears to be a preparatory study for an illustration focusing on the psychological and physical toll of war on soldiers and their families.

Rendered in bold blue and red tones, the composition evokes a strong emotional atmosphere. A female child stands illuminated in white, framed by two larger, somber adult figures—one a faceless man in a blue uniform, possibly a veteran, and the other a veiled woman in black, perhaps symbolizing mourning or resilience. The figures are stylized and monumental, almost sculptural, capturing both absence and presence, trauma and protection.

Paul Colin (1892–1985), most famous for his Art Deco posters and his iconic portraits of Josephine Baker, was also a master draftsman and a keen observer of social realities. This work shows another dimension of his talent—one less glamorous, more introspective, and profoundly humanitarian.

Though small in scale, this study speaks volumes about the impact of war—not only on the front lines, but at the heart of families and society.

Gouache and Watercolor

War 1939-1945 - Politics - France

Framed

Good condition