A wonderfully expressive French advertising print featuring Le Cacao Poulain inonde le monde, after the celebrated Belle Époque poster design by Leonetto Cappiello (1875–1942), one of the great innovators of early twentieth-century commercial art.
With its vibrant cobalt-blue background, oversized golden-yellow lettering and cheerful red-clad figure, the composition captures the playful imagination and visual boldness that made Cappiello's advertising designs instantly recognizable.
A Classic of French Advertising Art
Created for the historic French chocolate manufacturer Poulain, the design depicts a cheerful figure seated upon a globe, tipping an enormous container of cocoa over the world.
The flowing chocolate illustrates the slogan Le Cacao Poulain inonde le monde — “Poulain cocoa floods the world” — while Goûtez et comparez invites the viewer to “Taste and compare.”
The original design is documented in Cappiello's catalogue raisonné as a 1909 Vercasson poster, while the Bibliothèque nationale de France records a large-format impression dated 1911.
This smaller print bears Cappiello's signature within the printed composition and the wording “Offert par Poulain” at the lower left.
A Distinctive Decorative Print
Measuring approximately 30 × 44 cm, this reduced-format impression preserves the vivid color contrasts and engaging character of Cappiello's original advertising artwork.
Its saturated colors, playful imagery and textured surface make it an appealing decorative accent for a kitchen, dining room, café-inspired interior or gallery wall.
The print appears to have been produced using a screened color-printing process, possibly offset lithography. The precise printing technique, date, printer and edition have not been established.
It is offered as a decorative advertising print after Cappiello's original design, not as an authenticated original-period Vercasson lithograph.
Condition
Good decorative condition overall, with visible age- and handling-related imperfections.
The colors remain vivid and the principal composition is well preserved. There are several small areas of surface wear and color loss, including a noticeable light-coloured mark on the blue background to the left of the figure, together with smaller marks and wear along the edges.
Some losses expose the light-coloured fibrous material beneath the printed surface.
The reverse is unprinted and shows scattered staining, discoloration and old mounting or adhesive marks, particularly towards the lower corners.
Details
- Artist / original design: Leonetto Cappiello (1875–1942)
- Title: Le Cacao Poulain inonde le monde
- Original design: Documented from 1909; BnF impression dated 1911
- Subject: French chocolate and cocoa advertising
- Medium: Color advertising print on textured paper or paper-based support; apparently photomechanical printing
- Printing date: Undetermined
- Printer / edition: Unidentified
- Inscription: “Offert par Poulain” within the printed image
- Signature: Printed Cappiello signature, not hand-signed
- Style: Belle Époque advertising design / French graphic art
- Presentation: Unframed
Approx. Dimensions
- Width: Approximately 30 cm / 11.81 in
- Height: Approximately 44 cm / 17.32 in
A lively celebration of French advertising heritage, selected for its striking colour, playful composition and enduring decorative appeal.
Shipping & Insurance
This item will be carefully packed and shipped fully insured.
Shipping costs and any applicable import duties or taxes are calculated at checkout.
