Rene Vincent

Monumental French Art Deco Period Poster

circa 1920

From the celebrated Alphabet Suite, this stunning Art Deco lithograph/serigraph was designed by the Russian-born French artist and designer known by the pseudonym Erté, and produced ...

This beautiful Art Deco poster was realized by the esteemed American Artist George Petty for the A.C. Schultz Company in 1926. The work is an advertisement for DeVilbiss Perfume, which depicts a "Petty Girl" (as they came to be known) in the center of the composition floating in a pentagonal black color block. With short cropped silvery white hair and red lipstick, the female figure in center (suggestive of a stylized flapper) squeezes the atomizer of her perfume bottle misting herself in fragrance. Skyscraper style geometric forms suggesting elaborately faceted gemstones- in hues of rose, lavender, orange sapphire and yellow diamond- explode around her, suggesting the stage design for the set of the iconic film "Metropolis". The top of the composition features a bronze color block reading "DeVilbiss Perfume sprays" and in scrolling Deco lettering text reads “A drop of perfume bursting into myriad atoms of fragrance makes the use of perfume an added delight” near the bottom of the piece. Additionally, there is a solid black color block with crystalline black forms emanating outwards at the base of the composition, as well as a geometric abstract form on the right side of the piece imbuing it with a distinctly modernist inflection. With its quintessentially Art Deco sensibility, this piece is sure to delight discerning collectors of the period as well as those with a distinct appreciation for unusual (and stunning) fine art pieces. its vibrant palate and clean modernist lines make this piece a winning addition to any style of interior from classic Deco to contemporary. The piece comes presented in a custom gallery frame and is in excellent vintage condition. George Petty was an American illustrator known for his series of pin-ups known as "Petty Girls" which he created for Esquire magazine. The Petty Girl were coquettish women whose legs were elongated to create idealized female forms. They were featured on magazine centerfolds, billboards, and calendars for companies such as Ridgid Tools. Born George Brown Petty IV on April 27, 1894 in Abbeville, LA, Petty received his formal training at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago under Ruth Van Sickle Ford...