Chorus Girls on Canvas

Chorus girls have undeniably left their vibrant mark on city culture and the arts scene for centuries, from the iconic Chorus Girls of Harlem in NY to the energetic Cancan dancers of the 1800s. Boldly depicted by visual artists throughout history, these performers have been immortalized in colorful and dynamic artworks that pulsate with life and vitality. Stepping into the artistic world of the thirties and forties, we are captivated by photographs that gleam with the lively energy that continues to define how we perceive chorus girls today. The enduring impact of these talented individuals on the cultural landscape is a testament to their timeless allure and artistic significance.

These are a few of my favorites:

Dancing Chorus Girl with Cane and Blue Hat by  Jackson, J. E. - 1880

I haven't been able to find much information about J.E. Jackson, other than that he was an artist involved in the New York theater circuit. Several of his works are available online through the Library of Congress.

Camouflage by Fabien Fabiano - 1917

Fabien Fabiano was a French illustrator, portrait painter, and designer. Born into a family of sailors in Brittany, he grew up in Dahouët and later moved to Paris in 1900 after studying in Saint-Servan and completing military service. He trained at École des Beaux-Arts, the Académie Colarossi, and studied under Alphonse Mucha. His work appeared in notable magazines like the New-York Tribune and La Vie Parisienne. Fabiano traveled widely, painting prominent society figures, Hollywood stars, and political leaders.

Florenzo the Magnificent by Ralph Barton - Published 1923

Ralph, a native of Kansas City, was a caricaturist and illustrator who began his career at 16 with the Kansas City Star and The Kansas City Business Journal. From the mid-1920s, much of his work appeared in the New Yorker Magazine, along with other leading publications like Collier’s, Photoplay, Vanity Fair, Judge, and Harper’s Bazaar. He also illustrated the popular 1920s book Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

Eddie Cantor and three Ziegfeld Girls by Joe De Mers - Illustrated 1947

Joe DeMers became known for his elegant magazine illustrations, featuring glamorous women often set against semi-abstract backgrounds. Guided by his wife Janice's fashion insights, his depictions of the "all-American girl" graced numerous women's magazines and sometimes appeared in The Saturday Evening Post. DeMers also worked as a concept artist for Hollywood, contributing to films like The Maltese Falcon and Arsenic and Old Lace. His work was exhibited in major museums, and in 1997, he was inducted into the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame.

Sexy French Cabaret Dancers - Folies Berger Pulp Paperback Cover by George Ziel - Published 1957

George Ziel was a prolific illustrator of paperback romance novels from the 1950s to the 1970s. Born Jerzy Zielezinski in Poland in 1914, he was sent to the Dachau concentration camp by the Nazis in 1938. Drawing from his traumatic experiences, Ziel published two books of sketches: Prisoner Album (1945) and 24 Sketches From the Concentration Camps in Germany (1946). In a poignant twist, much of his later commercial work in America focused on themes of love, lust, and romance— a stark contrast to the horrors he survived during the Holocaust.

Chorus Girl, Music Hall by Jean Bellus - Illustrated 1970

Jean Bellus was a French illustrator and comics artist active in the mid-20th century. Born in 1911 in Toulouse, he held several jobs before starting his illustration career. He made his debut in Marianne in 1933 and later contributed to La Lessive, Pour Vous, Le Sourire, and Candide. From 1937 to 1939, he created the comic 'Georgie, Laurel et Hardy' for Benjamin magazine. His career was interrupted by World War II, after which he worked as a decorator, costumier, and music-hall actor. Following the Liberation in 1944, he resumed illustration, contributing to J. Magazine, Point de Vue, La Bataille, and Fantasia.

Cabaret girls illustration by Zubada - Unknown

Zubada is a contemporary artist who creates artwork for iStock by Getty Images.

Written by Amanda Bernice