The Queen of Montparnasse or rather, Kiki de Montparnasse or simply Kiki, given to her from a lover's pet name, Alice Ernestine Prin, born October 2, 1901, died April 29, 1953, was a model, a chanteus or bar/lounge singer, an actress, a painter, a memoirist, and most notably a liberated woman who lived her life on her own terms.
Alice's birth was shrouded in shame, born illegimately, she spent much of her childhood in poverty with her grandmother,who she dearly loved. At age 12, her mother sent for her to live with her in Paris, in order to work and provide more income for herself and her then live-in male partner. Alice began working as a linotypist, as well as other degrading, harsh jobs. Although her love of self-decorating and art, often ended her various employments. At just 14, she posed nude for the first time, of which when her mother found her, she was called a prostitute and kicked out. Destitute and homeless, Alice would find a way to earn a living solely through nude modeling.
Although a favorite of many famous artists, her strongest connection was with her most intimate relationship with the visual artist, Man Ray, who photographed, filmed, and created art with her through numerous works available today.
Her loving family of friends followed her coffin to her final resting place at Cimetière parisien de Thiais, where her tombstone simply read: "Kiki, 1901–1953, singer, actress, painter, Queen of Montparnasse".Having a lifelong struggle with alcohol and drug dependency, Kiki left this earth at the age of 51 on either March 23 or April 29, 1953.
For more about Alice Prin, as well as other art models in history, and to learn what it means to be a life model, check out my course: "Life Model 101" at cafegirlproductionsinc.com
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