Elizabeth Colomba
Elizabeth Colomba was born in Épinay-sur-Seine, France.
Elizabeth Colomba is a New York-based but native French artist who is known for her paintings that are usually about Black figures in historical and classical settings.
She is the daughter of Martinican immigrants to France who cultivated in her a passion for art. Drawing inspiration from their European colonizers and a drive to see Black subjects presented as they should, she started immersing herself in classical painting techniques.
In 1998, Elizabeth moved to Los Angeles, where she found work in Hollywood as an illustrator and storyboard artist. Her experience in the movie industry proved critical in honing her visual storytelling and narrative abilities that she would use in her later works in fine art.
By 2011, she had moved to New York City and was painting full time. Colomba’s work was known for its historical accuracy and attention to detail. She would soon develop a reputation for her paintings that reimagined black women in settings and roles usually reserved for white subjects.
As her work gained more popularity, she was invited to showcase her paintings in several prestigious institutions. Some places where she has exhibited include
Musee d’Orsay, the
Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the
Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Some of her notable works include the 2018
Portrait of a Negress otherwise known as
Laure, which is a reinterpretation of
Laure by Manet. There is also the 1997 work
Armelle that found its inspiration in
Madame X by John Singer Sargent.
In 2023, Elizabeth Colomba worked with Aurelie Levy to publish the graphic novel,
Queenie: Godmother of Harlem.
The novel tells the story of a woman who was born on a plantation in Martinique, who moved to the US and rose from poverty to the top crime boss in Harlem.
She defied economic hardship and built a smuggling empire during the era of Prohibition, even as she offered financial support to those in her community who did not have anything and fought off Italian mobsters looking to take over her turf.
The authors recount the powerful legacy of Saint-Clair through atmospheric and evocative illustrations and richly detailed storytelling.
Elizabeth Colomba: F.A.Q
Where was Elizabeth Colomba Born?
Elizabeth Colomba was born in Épinay-sur-Seine, France and is French.
What was the first book Elizabeth Colomba wrote?
The first book written by Elizabeth Colomba was Queenie: Godmother of Harlem, published in 2023.
What was the most recent book Elizabeth Colomba wrote?
Her most recently released work was Queenie: Godmother of Harlem on January 17th, 2023.
Will there be any more books by Elizabeth Colomba?
Elizabeth Colomba does not have any upcoming books with a set publication date within the next few months at this time.
How many books has Elizabeth Colomba written?
Elizabeth Colomba has written 1 book. All of her books are in the Graphic Novels.