Lucien Boucher

Circa 1950 original poster by Lucien Boucher for Air France - Planispheres

Circa 1950

The 1939 original planisphere poster by Lucien Boucher, titled “Nova et Vetera”, is an exquisite work commissioned by Air France, blending art and cartography to celebrate both the past and future of air travel. Boucher, known for his iconic map designs, produced this piece at the onset of World War II, a period where air travel was rapidly evolving, and Air France was positioning itself as a leader in global aviation. “Nova et Vetera”, which translates from Latin to "New and Old," captures the transition between the old world of sea-bound exploration and the new age of air travel. This juxtaposition is represented in the map’s composition, featuring routes that stretch across continents, symbolizing the vast reach of Air France’s network. It highlights both traditional and modern elements of travel, emphasizing the airline’s innovation while still grounding it in the historical spirit of exploration. Lucien Boucher was a master of integrating artistry with geography, and this poster exemplifies his style. The planisphere is both decorative and informative, showcasing the globe and marking the flight paths that connected Europe, Africa, the Americas, Asia, and beyond. With intricate details and imaginative design, Boucher captures the global vision of Air France, reflecting its ambition to connect the world. The poster is as much a celebration of human ingenuity as it is a technical map. Embellished with celestial motifs and decorative flourishes, the world appears almost mythological, linking the stars, air routes, and geography into one seamless image. The sky above the globe is often depicted with constellations, representing the heavens as both a guiding force for navigation and a romantic backdrop for aviation. During the late 1930s, Air France was expanding rapidly, building a global network that stretched from Europe to the farthest reaches of the world. This poster reflects the airline’s dominance and aspirations at the time, as well as its pride in the progress of aviation. It also subtly evokes a sense of nostalgia for earlier eras of exploration, blending these two worlds of discovery into a unified visual narrative. Boucher’s work often walked the line between fantasy and realism. While the map accurately displays the airline’s routes, the decorative elements elevate the poster to a work of art, inspiring viewers with the grandeur and excitement of global travel. The historical references in the title, "Nova et Vetera," suggest that the pioneering spirit of the past—whether by sea or land—is being continued in the modern age through aviation. By 1939, the world was on the brink of World War II, and the geopolitical landscape was rapidly changing. This poster, with its optimistic tone, served as a reminder of the connectivity and innovation that air travel brought to the world, even in uncertain times. Air France, in commissioning this work, sought to solidify its image as a forward-thinking and globally minded airline, contributing to the modern era of transportation. Today, Lucien Boucher’s “Nova et Vetera” poster is not only a masterpiece of aviation art but also a historical document that reflects the ambitions and challenges of the late 1930s. It stands as a testament to the golden age of aviation, when air travel was transforming the world and shrinking distances between nations. The poster is cherished by collectors of vintage airline memorabilia...

The circa 1950 Air France "Réseau Aérien Mondial" poster, designed by French illustrator Lucien Boucher, is a vivid representation of the ai...

Lucien Boucher 🇫🇷 (1889 - 1971) is a French painter, engraver, poster artist and designer. He studied ceramics at the School of Sevres before being sent to the front in 1914. Taken...

Original poster of the airline company Air France, designed by Renluc in 1953 to promote the link between Paris and Buenos Aires Airline - Aviation - Tourism Madrid - Dakar - Recif...

Created in the 1950's by the artist Lucien Boucher, this is one of a series of posters commissioned by Air France to show their routes around the world. The artist uses small local s...

This is one a series of well-designed maps by Lucien Boucher for Air France during the 1950's. This image, created in 1952, colorfully presents the routes of Air France as well as vi...

Original vintage planisphere travel route map poster promoting Air France the global air network of the French national airline carrier. Design by Lucien Boucher (1889-1971) featurin...

Air France 'Nova et Vetera' poster map designed by Lucien Boucher Paris France 1939 Advertising poster designed by Lucien Boucher for the Air France company and published in Paris by Perceval in 1939 at the dawn of World War II. It is one of the very first maps in the world of the French airline, founded in October 1933, to show its air routes from its Paris hub to major locations around the world. The Paris-New York route, still under study in 1939 (it would open in 1946), is shown here with a dotted line...