Vintage French Advertising Poster – Cirage Mayola by Jean Desaleux (1950s-1960s)

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A striking example of mid-century French advertising design, this original lithographic poster by Jean Desaleux was created for Cirage Mayola, … Read more A striking example of mid-century French advertising design, this original lithographic poster by Jean Desaleux was created for Cirage Mayola, a premium shoe polish brand. The composition exemplifies the bold graphic style characteristic of post-war European commercial art.

Details:
Artist: Jean Desaleux
Period: Mid-20th Century (c. 1950s–1960s)
Medium: Lithograph on paper, linen-backed
Provenance: Printed in France, with publisher’s mark and typography consistent with mid-century advertising prints
Condition: Displays minor signs of age and handling, with some wear at the edges (refer to detailed images)

Jean Desaleux’s work is celebrated for its dynamic use of color and stylized forms, evident in the confident brushstroke textures and the juxtaposition of bold reds, blues, and blacks. The central figure—a polished, stylized depiction of a shoe polisher—encapsulates the optimism and energy of mid-century European advertising. The phrase "Quel éclat!" ("What a shine!") reinforces the message of the product’s superior quality, while the clever composition and masterful shading techniques lend the work a sense of movement and vitality. See less