Michel-Marie Poulain (December 5, 1906 – February 9, 1991) was a prominent French self-taught painter and multitalented performer who became a recognizable figure in the mid-20th-century Parisian art scene. Her early creative life was remarkably diverse; she worked as a fashion model, a couture dress designer, and an acrobat at the Cirque d'Hiver under the stage name "Micky." After performing in cabaret acts and serving as a dragoon officer during World War II, she fully dedicated herself to her visual art, establishing a studio in Montmartre where she worked alongside the vibrant bohemian community of the era.
As a painter, Poulain developed a distinctive style heavily influenced by the vibrant color palettes and expressive lines of Henri Matisse, Raoul Dufy, and Jean Dufy. Her technique, which featured bold compositions and a strong sense of mood, frequently drew comparisons to the works of Bernard Buffet and Marc Chagall. She was best known for her atmospheric street scenes of old Paris, capturing the specific charm of Montmartre, alongside a rich portfolio of landscapes, portraits, and vibrant still lifes.
Poulain achieved significant commercial and critical success during her lifetime. Beginning in 1931, she regularly exhibited her work at major French art institutions, including the Salon d'Hiver, Salon d'Automne, Salon des Indépendants, and Salon des Tuileries. Today, her paintings are highly regarded as vivid records of mid-century Parisian life, celebrated for their unique blend of post-impressionist color and mid-century graphic modernism.