France’s First Black Clown

Monsieur Chocolat, le premier clown noir, by Bénédicte Rivière, illustrated by Bruno Pilorget

Monsieur Chocolat was the son of slaves who entertained Paris society in the 1900s. His success was due to his huge talent as an artist, but also to the contempt his white audience had for black  people. Includes photos and archives showing a Belle Époque that was more diverse than it appeared.

Each volume of the “Grand Portraits” collection ends with a fact file, illustrated with photographs.

48 pages hardcover picture book, 26 x 26 cm