Digital image of Emmanuel Macron honoring Josephine Baker: Museum Object and Cultural History

The object in the museum catalogue

A digital, color image by D. Michael Cheers captures French President Emmanuel Macron at the podium during the ceremony for Josephine Baker’s induction into France’s Pantheon mausoleum. At the center of the Pantheon is a red circle with a quote printed along the edge in white text. Baker’s ceremonial cenotaph, draped in a French flag with her medals placed at the center, is at the center of the red circle. In front is a stage where President Macron stands behind a podium with a vertical French flag. Behind him is the European Union and French flag. The same quote printed on the red circle is printed on the wall behind President Macron. The quote, written in French, was said by Josephine Baker: [C’est la France / qui a fait de moi / ce que je suis, / je lui garderai / une reconnaissance / éternelle. / JOSEPINE BAKER], or in English “t’s France / that made me / who I am, / I will always / be grateful / to her.” The stage where President Macron stands is flanked by two images of Baker. On the left is a large headshot of Baker in her military uniform. On the right is a large headshot of Baker from her acting career.

Materials, dates and provenance

• Date: November 30, 2021
• Photograph by: Duane Michael Cheers Ph.D, American, born 1953
• Subject of: Josephine Baker, American, 1906 - 1975
• Subject of: President Emmanuel Macron, French, born 1977
• Type: digital media - born digital
• Medium: digital
• Dimensions: H x W: 2372 pixels × 2723 pixels
• Dimensions: File size: 6.35 MB
• Place depicted: Paris, France, Europe
• Topic: African American
• Topic: Activism
• Topic: Actors
• Topic: Funeral customs and rites
• Topic: International affairs
• Topic: Jazz (Music)
• Topic: Military
• Topic: Photography
• Object number: 2022.50.7
• Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of D. Michael Cheers
• Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Sources and reuse

Catalogue descriptions and facts adapted from National Museum of African American History and Culture through the Smithsonian's official Open Access dataset. This record explicitly marks its metadata CC0 1.0; formatting and selection have been changed. The underlying object's rights statement is: © D. Michael Cheers Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.