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French heritage: iconic artists who became French
This sheet presents artists. It is in particular about artists who obtained French nationality.
Key points of the sheet
- Marc Chagall is a painter of Russian origin. He settles in Paris in 1923. He is first a refugee, then becomes French in 1937.
- During the Second World War, Chagall goes to New York. The Vichy regime takes away his nationality. He gets it back in 1948, when he returns to Paris.
- In 1962, Chagall creates a fresco for the ceiling of the Opéra Garnier. His works are considered original and very colourful. They mix Jewish and Russian traditions.
- Chagall's most famous works are La Vie, the Ceiling of the Opéra Garnier and La Guerre.
- Joséphine Baker was born into a poor family in Missouri, in the United States. She settles in Paris in 1925. She becomes the star of "La Revue Nègre", then sings and acts in films.
- Joséphine Baker becomes French in 1937. During the Second World War, she joins the Resistance. She hides secret information in music scores.
- She also fights racism and denounces segregation in the United States. She enters the Panthéon on 30 November 2021.
- Joséphine Baker's most famous works are "J'ai deux amours", Banana Dance and La Sirène des Tropiques.
Words to know
- French nationality (nationalité française)
- Marc Chagall and Joséphine Baker obtain French nationality in 1937.
- refugee (réfugié)
- Chagall is first recognised as a refugee, before becoming French.
- Vichy regime (régime de Vichy)
- The Vichy regime takes away Chagall's French nationality.
- the Resistance (Résistance)
- Joséphine Baker joins the Resistance as an agent of the secret services of Free France (France libre).
- Panthéon
- Joséphine Baker enters the Panthéon on 30 November 2021.
- Opéra Garnier
- In 1962, Chagall creates a fresco to decorate its ceiling.
- segregation (ségrégation)
- Joséphine Baker denounces segregation in the United States.
Test yourself: 3 questions
In 1962, Chagall decorates the ceiling of which building?
In French, the language of the exam: En 1962, Chagall décore le plafond de quel bâtiment ?
In 1962, Chagall creates a fresco to decorate the ceiling of the Opéra Garnier.
Where does Joséphine Baker hide secret information?
In French, the language of the exam: Où Joséphine Baker cache-t-elle des informations secrètes ?
During the war, Joséphine Baker hides secret information in music scores.
In which year does Joséphine Baker enter the Panthéon?
In French, the language of the exam: En quelle année Joséphine Baker entre-t-elle au Panthéon ?
Joséphine Baker enters the Panthéon on 30 November 2021.
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More in this topic (Culture)
- French heritage: iconic artists among authors (1/3)
- French heritage: iconic artists among authors (2/3)
- French heritage: iconic artists among authors (3/3)
Source
Sheet “Patrimoine français : des artistes emblématiques devenus français” of the French Ministry of the Interior: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. Content published under the Etalab Open Licence 2.0. This page is a plain-language adaptation made by Hexaciv, which is not an official site: if in doubt, the ministry's text is the one that counts.
Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026.