1981 Original French Exhibition Poster, Cappiello at the Grand Palais

Date: 1981
Size: 16 x 24 inches
Artist: Cappiello, Leonetto

This colourful poster was created to promote an exhibition in 1981 at the Grand Palais in Paris. Sponsored by the Minister of Culture and Communication, the exhibition featured Cappiello's caricatures and posters. The bright orange background of the poster is typical of Cappiello's compositions. The female figure seen here has also been used on the cover of Michel Tremblay's book 'Au hasard la chance'.

A contemporary critic described Cappiello's work as the mastery of giving utilitarian objects special treatment. He is considered to be one of the greatest posterists of his age. His approach was always that of image association - the idea that you don't really remember the image of the product itself, but the image of something associated to the product ... Cappiello was the first who thoroughly understood this, and he applied it with considerable diligence in about a thousand posters.' (Rennert)

His style, simple lines with strong colors and an equally strong product message was evident in some of the first commissions he received: an 1899 album of pochoirs depicting famous actresses of the age shows clearly that even as a young man Cappiello had already developed a style which he would use, with incredible results, throughout his creative life.  

His work is sought after today and may be found in galleries and museums throughout the world.