The Names Behind the Posters
The artists who shaped advertising history
Step into the world of the artists who transformed commercial advertising into a true art form. From the bold, playful genius of Leonetto Cappiello to the refined elegance of Cassandre and beyond, these are the creative minds whose work defined a visual era and whose posters remain timeless to this day.
Explore their stories, their styles and the legacies they left in ink, colour and composition.
Bernard Villemot
Bernard Villemot (1911–1989) was one of the most celebrated French graphic artists of the 20th century. Trained under Art Deco master Paul Colin, Villemot developed a distinctive style defined by fluid lines, bold colors and sensuous forms. His work with major brands like Orangina, Perrier, Bally and Air France made him a household name in postwar Europe. Villemot’s posters are prized for their clarity, elegance and striking simplicity, hallmarks of modern French advertising.
Jean D'Ylen
Jean D’Ylen (1866–1938) was a French poster artist renowned for his vibrant, theatrical compositions that lit up the streets of Paris in the early 20th century. A successor to Leonetto Cappiello at the prestigious printer Vercasson, D’Ylen infused his work with humour, energy, and dramatic flair. His posters, often promoting food, drink, and industrial products, are beloved for their rich colours and character-driven designs.
Leonetto Cappiello
Leonetto Cappiello (1875–1942) is widely regarded as the father of modern advertising poster art. An Italian-born illustrator who made his name in Paris, Cappiello revolutionised poster design by using bold figures, bright colours, and minimal text to create an instant visual impact. His works for brands like Cinzano, Maurin Quina and Chocolat Klaus remain among the most collected vintage posters in the world, celebrated for their timeless wit and graphic brilliance.
Philippe Sommer
Philippe Sommer is a lesser-known yet distinctive figure in 20th-century French advertising design. His posters are characterised by playful composition, lively characters and a flair for visual storytelling. While not as widely collected as his contemporaries, his work remains a charming reflection of mid-century commercial art.
Razzia (Gérard Courbouleix–Dénériaz)
Razzia (born Gérard Courbouleix–Dénériaz, 1950) is a contemporary French poster artist known for preserving the tradition of hand-painted posters in the age of digital design. Working in the style of classic advertising art, Razzia has created iconic images for Louis Vuitton, Lancia, and the Roland-Garros tennis tournament. His bold, luxurious imagery bridges fine art and commercial elegance.
René Gruau
René Gruau (1909–2004) was one of the most influential fashion illustrators of the 20th century. Born in Italy and active mainly in Paris, Gruau’s work with Dior, Balmain, and other haute couture houses defined the visual language of mid-century glamour. His sweeping brushstrokes, dramatic silhouettes, and economy of line remain iconic in the history of fashion and graphic design.
Gino Boccasile
Gino Boccasile (1901–1952) was an Italian illustrator celebrated for his seductive, stylised depictions of women in advertising and propaganda posters. Despite controversy over his wartime work, Boccasile’s commercial art for beauty products, food brands, and fashion remains visually powerful, marked by rich colours and cinematic flair.
A.M. Cassandre
A.M. Cassandre (1901–1968), born Adolphe Jean-Marie Mouron, was a master of Art Deco poster design. His work for shipping lines, luxury brands and alcoholic beverages introduced bold typography, geometric clarity and modernist abstraction into commercial art. Cassandre also designed typefaces and theatre sets, blending avant-garde aesthetics with marketing genius.
