A young American named Alice Ernestine Prin (October 2, 1901 – April 29, 1953), was an artists' model, nightclub singer, actress, and painter. She called herself Kiki, and that was how she was known to Hemingway and members of "The Lost Generation." She was also known as the Queen of Montparnasse, and Kiki de Montparnasse. Like Josephine Baker, she embodied the "Flapper" spirit of Paris in the Jazz Age of the 1920s. The top photo - by Man Ray - is called, "La Garconne," The Flapper.
Hemingway wrote the introduction to her autobiography in 1929,(he had known her since 1921). Hemingway's introduction was also published separately as a pamphlet. The book was banned in the US until the 1970s. It is believed by some scholars that he copied her style in writing A Moveable Feast; some think it was just the idea of writing memoirs of Paris that he copied.
The photos of Kiki are by Man Ray - a long time employer, companion and lover.
25 comments:
she reminded me to Josephine Baker, too:)
Interesting photos and the narrative is so educational.
Also, thanks for your many visits to my blog. Always nice to see you there and your name actually puts me over the top sometimes.
Surprise, surprise, surprise. It's me!
Brookville Daily Photo
As Abraham said, your posts are always very interesting and educational. The twenties never really interested me, but now I found myself imagining how they live, what they use to do and so on. Can't wait for your next post.
I have no idea at all until now and you know what? I corresponded with a german girl when I was in my teens and her name is Kiki :D
Why is the book banned?
Thanks for looking everyone.
Zsolt - I hope you enjoyed your contest & Abraham, I always give your site a look :)
Carlos, I wasn't very interested in the '20s either - but it's when Hemingway started to write :) So, I'm now interested in Paris in the "Jazz Age"
Shionge, I don't know why it was banned for so long (that's a lot of years!); I've never come acrosss a copy. I imagine it is for sexual content; according to Wikipedia, it was banned for "explicit content."
As said it's very interesting to read each your post but what let me speechless is where you find these photos... Unique !
i'm learning so much from this blog....it's one of its kind...kudos!!! :)
Thank you Fabrizio & Moi!
I think that we are experience a satisfaction when we see a vintage photograph - even if it's just a "snapshot" - like Zsolt's avatar photo :)
I love Mann Ray's work here... and, of course, good photos are always easier when you have a beautiful model to work with.
It's kind of flooring to think that Hemingway may have copied the writing style of a nightclub singer.
Hi Josy, I didn't present that very well, I guess. He didn't copy her style - he might have copied the idea to write memoirs of the Paris years.
Nice post! I wasn't aware of Kiki so did some googling.
Hemingway discribed her as "a woman who was never a lady at any time."
Even as late as the 1970s, the memoirs-short vignettes about Kiki's sexually adventurous existence in Paris--were still held in the section for banned books in the New York Public Library. (info from Amazon.com)
How did you find out about Hem writing that introduction, Paul?
Isabella, I'm not exactly sure - probably just reading about the early things that he had published in his Paris years - like his first poetry, & short stories.
glad you like that semi submerged monument ;)
these old photos looks great! :) Thanks for visiting budapest dailyphoto and keep coming for the entire look of the monument you like :)
hi, Paul!
interesting fhotos and the text very educacional
Good weekend for you too
hmm interesting!
Hey,badolas tá tudo?
i visited Hemingway's house in Key west on my trip and remembered you....
Hello Moi, thank you for thinking of me - and lucky you getting to see the house!
I've always wanted to visit it - especially in the dead of winter up here.
Did you see all of the cats?
Hey Paul,
I did say my hi's to some of them.....and fed a couple of them too..the rest were too lazy to wake up to a stranger and i didn't feel like disturbing them either :)
Will u mind sending me your postal address, Paul? I have a small gift for you from the house. My email add: swativarma28@yahoo.co.in
http://www.npg.si.edu/exh/hemingway/ehquote.htm
it is Jazz days !
nice work
thank you and have a nice day
:))
Just had to stop and thank you for your repeat visits and comments. I so much appreciate hearing from you.
I am back from my self-imposed vacation.
Abraham Lincoln
Brookville Daily Photo
Yes, your narrative is quite informative...and accurate!! Out of curiosity, how did you become interested in Paris, Hemingway, and the '20's scene? Since I live in St. Paul and taught in the same school that young Fitzgerald attended (see my FScott series beginning on November 10, 2006 and beyond), the whole era has been unavoidable plus very, very delightful to read and learn about.
I've always been fascinated by the accounts of the daring Kiki de Montparnasse. Does she have a counterpart today, an intelligent beauty who fascinates and scandalizes the way she did? I can't think of anyone in her league.
Hadn't seen this one yet. Great Man Ray shot; it makes justice to the beauty of the model!
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