Date: 1958
Size: 24.25 x 39.25 inches
Artist: Jean-Adrien Mercier
About the Artist: Jean-Adrien Mercier (1899–1995) was a French illustrator, poster artist, and advertising designer. Born in Angers, Mercier received his training at the École des Beaux-Arts (School of Fine Arts) in Angers, and then transferred to the École des Arts Décoratifs (National School of Decorative Arts) in Paris in 1921. He began his career in 1924 as a designer of publicity and cinema posters, a field in which he remained active throughout his life. Between 1925 and 1942 Mercier designed more than 120 cinema posters and also produced numerous commercial posters.
About the poster: The current fair-exhibition is the heir to a fine line of fairs, since the 11th century, and more particularly to that of the Coronation, at the time of Corpus Christi, in June. Also heir to the great quinquennial agricultural, industrial and artistic exhibitions organized from 1835 to 1906. The exhibition planned for 1915 did not take place. After the First World War, everything had to be done to encourage trade and, in this context, the development of tourism appeared essential, because the people of Angers, from the month of June, began to desert their city.
This is how the fair-exhibition was born from the deliberations of the Anjou Tourist Office. The idea was submitted to the general meeting of 23 January 1922 by Brunet, also assistant treasurer of the Société de fêtes d'Angers: "It would involve organising a sort of trade fair in Angers, held in any location, for example in the buildings used for the fair, where samples of all the natural, agricultural or industrial products of our Anjou would be exhibited for a period of eight to ten days. In addition, a permanent exhibition gallery could be organised at a well-placed point in the town, which would certainly be visited by many tourists and would constitute an excellent means of propaganda to make known and appreciate all our local productions and riches." (www.foire-angers.com)
The poster is in good condition with some pinholes on the corners. Ready to frame.