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Flying around the World with Constellation Aircraft - Aviation poster

Circa 1950

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...

The circa 1950 original poster by Lucien Boucher, Air France Réseau Aérien Mondial, is a notable example of mid-20th-century commercial art designed to promote the global air routes of Air France. Lucien Boucher, a renowned French illustrator and poster artist, became closely associated with Air France due to his series of beautifully crafted world map posters, often referred to as "planispheres." These maps were produced between the 1930s and 1960s, highlighting the growing reach of Air France as international air travel expanded after World War II. Boucher's work is known for its combination of cartographic precision and artistic creativity. His Air France posters were not just functional tools for navigation but were also designed to evoke a sense of adventure and the allure of global travel. They capture the optimism of an era when air travel was becoming more accessible and increasingly viewed as the future of international transportation. In this particular poster, Boucher uses artistic elements like vibrant colors, symbolic depictions of different regions, and various modes of transportation to showcase Air France’s extensive global routes. The poster's style reflects the influence of both Art Deco and traditional mapmaking, blending modernity with classical touches. The planes are seen flying across the map, connecting continents, while small details like ships, animals, and historical figures embellish the poster, each representing the diverse cultures and histories of the regions Air France serviced. These posters were often printed by French lithography studio Perceval, known for its high-quality production, further enhancing the visual appeal of Boucher’s work. The Réseau Aérien Mondial map posters are not just travel advertisements but also collectible pieces of art, highly valued by collectors of vintage aviation...

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

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...

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