Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 8

R. Dupé
Jeux de l'Amitié Dakar (Friendship Games) poster designed by R. Dupé in 1962

1962

About the Item

The Jeux de l'Amitié (Friendship Games) poster designed by R. Dupé in 1962 for the 1963 games held in Dakar, Senegal, is a vibrant example of how sport and art were intertwined in the cultural and political landscapes of post-colonial Africa. This striking poster was created to promote the first Jeux de l’Amitié, an event held from April 11 to April 21, 1963. The games, which brought together athletes from French-speaking African nations, symbolized not only athletic competition but also the camaraderie and solidarity among the newly independent African countries. At the heart of the design is a powerful image of two hands—one Black, one light-skinned—exchanging a baton, a classic symbol of teamwork and unity in athletics. The baton, however, in this context, carries deeper meanings. It represents the passing of knowledge, strength, and unity between nations that have shared histories but are now charting their own futures. The emphasis on two hands from different ethnic backgrounds embodies the spirit of solidarity and friendship among diverse African and international communities. The vivid color palette of the poster is equally significant. Behind the hands, a gradient of green, yellow, and orange flames flares upwards, reflecting the colors of several African national flags, including Senegal's. The use of these colors evokes the energy and optimism that characterized the era, as African countries were celebrating their independence and forging new identities. The fiery backdrop also suggests the dynamic nature of the games themselves—passionate, spirited, and unifying. The bold black text that reads JEUX DE L’AMITIÉ is anchored by a green star between the words "de" and "l'," referencing Senegal's national symbol and further grounding the event in its host country. The clean, sans-serif typography reflects a modernist approach, appropriate for a poster that aims to speak to a forward-looking vision of African unity and progress. The event, which took place in Dakar, was a significant moment in the history of sport in Africa. The games brought together athletes from countries across West Africa and other French-speaking nations, reflecting both a celebration of sport and a statement of political unity. In many ways, the poster for the Jeux de l’Amitié encapsulates this duality—it’s not just a sports event poster, but a visual representation of the political and cultural moment in post-colonial Africa. R. Dupé’s design for the Dakar games exemplifies the role of graphic art in amplifying messages of unity and collaboration during a time when African nations were emerging from colonial rule. The poster’s symbolism—the handshake, the passing of the baton, the flames of national colors—comes together to create a compelling and hopeful vision of what the games and the future of African solidarity could be. Today, the poster stands as both an artifact of African sporting history and a testament to the power of design in shaping and expressing the political currents of the time. Sport - Senegal Printed in Paris
  • Creator:
    R. Dupé
  • Creation Year:
    1962
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 31.5 in (80 cm)Width: 23.63 in (60 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    Good condition, pin holes.
  • Gallery Location:
    PARIS, FR
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1792215191632

More From This Seller

View All
1962 poster Morocco via the swift vessels of the Paquet Navigation Company
By Roger Chapelet
Located in PARIS, FR
Original 1962 poster by Roger Chapelet titled "Le Maroc par les paquebots rapides de la compagnie de navigation Paquet" transports viewers to the exotic allure of Morocco via the swi...
Category

1960s Prints and Multiples

Materials

Linen, Paper, Lithograph

Exceptional 1886 calendar by Eugène Grasset - Parisian Au Bon Marché
By Eugène Grasset
Located in PARIS, FR
This exceptional 1886 calendar, created by the celebrated Art Nouveau master Eugène Grasset for the renowned Parisian department store Au Bon Marché, is a sublime blend of commercial...
Category

1880s Prints and Multiples

Materials

Paper, Lithograph

Circa 1960 original travel poster by Intourist - Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan
Located in PARIS, FR
This original travel poster from circa 1960, published by Intourist, the official Soviet state travel agency, invites foreign visitors to discover the rich cultural and geographic di...
Category

1960s Prints and Multiples

Materials

Paper, Lithograph

Against the war in Vietnam Elliott Erwitt Circa 1970 Original political poster
By Elliott Erwitt
Located in PARIS, FR
Beautiful poster of the famous photographer Elliot Erwitt against the war in Vietnam. Born in Paris in 1928 to Russian parents, Erwitt spent his childhood in Milan, then emigrated to the United States, via France, with his family in 1939. As a teenager living in Hollywood, he became interested in photography and worked in a commercial darkroom before experimenting with photography at Los Angeles City...
Category

1970s Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph, Paper

Saint Tropez Latitude43 Art Deco 1936 Original Poster Côte d'Azur French Riviera
Located in PARIS, FR
Latitude 43 was designed by the avant-garde architect Georges-Henri Pingusson. The building, listed as a historical monument in 1992, is a reference in ter...
Category

1930s Art Deco Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph, Paper

Original poster of the XIth International Exhibition of Surrealism
By André Breton
Located in PARIS, FR
Beautiful poster of the XIth International Exhibition of Surrealism, presented in December 1965 at the galerie de l'Œil in Paris. André Robert Breton ( 1896 - 1966 ) was a French writer and poet. He is best known as the co-founder, leader and principal theorist of Surrealism. His writings include the first Manifesto of Surrealism of 1924, in which he defined Surrealism as "pure psychic automatism". Alongside his role as leader of the Surrealist movement, he authored such famous books as Nadja and L'Amour fou. These activities, combined with his critical and theoretical work on writing and the visual arts, made André Breton...
Category

1960s Surrealist Prints and Multiples

Materials

Paper, Linen, Lithograph

You May Also Like

Altered Illusions 4 Collograph
By Patricia A. Pearce
Located in Soquel, CA
Dramatic embossed collograph titled "Altered Illusions 4" by Patricia A. Pearce (American, b. 1948). Numbered, titled, and signed along the bottom edge . No frame. Image size: 28"H x...
Category

1980s Contemporary Abstract Prints

Materials

Paper, Ink, Lithograph

Fine Teal Mesh and Rods Collograph
By Patricia A. Pearce
Located in Soquel, CA
Gorgeous teal mesh and rods collagraph by Patricia A. Pearce (American, b. 1948). Unsigned. Purchased as part of larger collection. No frame. Image size: 23.75"H x 35.75"W Patricia ...
Category

1980s Contemporary Abstract Prints

Materials

Paper, Ink, Lithograph

Lavishly illustrated 592 page monograph (hand signed by Jeff Koons)
By Jeff Koons
Located in New York, NY
Jeff Koons Lavishly illustrated 592 page monograph (hand signed by Jeff Koons), 2009 Hardback monograph with dust jacket (hand signed by Jeff Koons) Boldly signed and dated 12/1/14 o...
Category

Early 2000s Pop Art Figurative Prints

Materials

Paper, Mixed Media, Permanent Marker, Lithograph, Offset, Board

Rosta Windows, Lithograph by Wladimir Majakowski, 1920
By Wladimir Majakowski
Located in Berlin, DE
This is one of the very rare lithographs of an image for the Rosta windows. Rosta without number ( Christmas number ), 3 January 1920. Measurements: Image: 10.43 x 5.91 in ( 26,5 x ...
Category

Early 20th Century Other Art Style Figurative Prints

Materials

Archival Paper, Lithograph

Henri Matisse: Colour Lithographs after the Cut-Outs, Framed Print, 1958
By Henri Matisse
Located in Richmond, GB
Henri Matisse: Colour Lithographs after the Cut-Outs, Framed Print, 1958 In 1941 Matisse underwent abdominal surgery after which he found painting to be physically taxing. Increasi...
Category

20th Century Prints and Multiples

Materials

Paper, Lithograph

Henri Matisse: Colour Lithographs after the Cut-Outs, Framed Print, 1958
By Henri Matisse
Located in Richmond, GB
Henri Matisse: Colour Lithographs after the Cut-Outs, Framed Print, 1958 In 1941 Matisse underwent abdominal surgery after which he found painting to be physically taxing. Increasi...
Category

20th Century Prints and Multiples

Materials

Paper, Lithograph

Recently Viewed

View All