|
|
Trying to
describe Josephine Baker?s handwriting in 200 words is like
trying to stuff fireworks into a thimble. Impossible. Writing is
energy, and Baker?s script overflows with exuberance and
passion.
For those unfamiliar with graphology - analyzing handwriting is akin to meeting someone for the first time. You?ll have an overall impression upon first meeting them (lazy or energetic, open or reserved, etc.). The more time you spend, the more details you?ll begin to notice (laugh lines around the eyes or sadness in the smile.) So too, with Baker, we?ll begin with an overall impression ? (rhythm, style, size) then explore individual traits that catch our eye (exaggerated lower loops, angular forms). Overall, Baker?s writing appears steadfast, resolute and firm, consistent in rhythm, and falling within conventional boundaries. Conventional? A woman who walked her leopard Chiquita through the streets of Paris? Conventional here refers to a deliberate reasoning process, which follows a problem through to its logical conclusion. Like a river that takes most advantageous path, moving over and around obstacles, Baker did not rely on the whim of chance, but circumspectly chose the perfect venue to showcase her talents. Ziegfield wasn?t interested? Then it was on to Paris, where she took the city by storm. Even when her writing adopts a larger size, it remains consistent in style. Her script provides a blueprint of her personality ? dogged, tenacious and persistent. A proponent of racial harmony, she refused to play to segregated audiences in the 1950?s, joined the Freedom March in 1963, and condemned the Black Power movement as separatist in the 1970?s, alienating some of her own race. Unlike today?s stars who change like chameleons to capture audiences, Baker remained steadfast to the courage of her convictions.? It?s interesting to see the lack of pretension or ego in her signature. No flamboyance. No flourish. Yes, she was a showman par excellence but didn?t need the limelight to reaffirm her worth. The stage was not her life. Despite the small size, every letter is legible. She didn?t miss a detail ? whether designing a new costume or running secrets for the French Resistance. Squint your eyes, and you?ll find dark, rich patches in the writing. This ?pastosity? or paste-like appearance bespeaks an innate physicality, sensuality and passionate nature. Josephine?s semi-nude dances set audience aflame ? perhaps less from raw lust than from a hunger to merge with her explosive energy, sheer joy and exuberant zest for life. Certainly ahead of her time, Baker might be labeled a maverick, yet her risqu? Le Jazz Hot shows in the 1920?s reflect the times in which she lived ? sequined flappers and bathtub gin. Hollywood?s early silver screen candidly portrayed adultery, prostitution and scandal (even Barbara Stanwyck slept her way to the top in Baby Face) until shackled with censorship in 1934. A prolonged depression in the 1930?s brewed an odd stew of sober prayers for salvation spiced with live-for-today hedonism. Baker simply spoke the truth as she saw it. People wanted and needed a release. On to the details - the letter ?t? representing self-image, speaks volumes. The strong resolute stems easily support the firm, deliberate t-bars, indicating high goals and aspirations, coupled with determination to achieve them. This is a writing of indefatigable spirit and unflinching resolve. It?s reported that while working for the resistance during WWII, Baker carried intelligence reports to Portugal written in invisible ink on her sheet music. I?ll be she had every detail worked out to a ? oh, you know?. Numerous angular formations appear repeatedly in the letters W, M, m, n, h, r and f, further confirming a temperament tenacious, resolute and firm. Angles also indicate an inquisitive mind that takes nothing on blind faith. In today?s world, angular writers dominate the fields of research and development, trial law, and entrepreneurship. The angular writer breaks new ground, questioning the status quo, and Baker certainly fit the profile. Adopt twelve children of different races and backgrounds ? why not? Rise from a eight year old housemaid to become the toast of Paris ? absolutely. ?Drive an ambulance during the war ? mais oui! Introductory strokes on the capital ?H?s? belie a bent toward humor peppered with intelligence and wit. Though subject to racial prejudice (it?s reported the Stork Club refused to serve her) Baker caught the caustic arrows shot in her direction, dipped them in humor, and wiggled them back on her aggressors, appearing in Chocolate Dandies, and dancing in bananas to the beat of a jungle drum. The lower loops structures, home of sexuality and physical freedom, reveal both a desire to escape and a need for physical expression. It?s not surprising she helped others during the Resistance, receiving the Croix de Guerre, the Legion of Honor, and the Rosette de Resistance. The variety of loops reflect many facets to her nature, including: ease with large audiences, as well as a vivid imagination (large loops), a desire for privacy, solitude and contemplation (singular downstrokes) and loyalty to a close, intimate circle of friends (small circular lower loops). Baker?s open, half-hook loops indicate ?open pockets? or difficulty hanging onto money, and Josephine was as generous with gifts, as she was with her talents, her love and her million-dollar-smile. Penniless in later years, Baker was ?broke, but never poor? leading one of the richest lives of her era ? a woman of flamboyance, flesh and feathers on the outside, who held inwardly fast to a moral code of justice, resilience, and honor. About Ann Mahony We offer this article on a non-exclusive basis. You may reprint or repost this material as long as Ann Mahony's name and contact information is included: ANN
MAHONY ? 2000-2004 Ann Mahony |
