Lucien Boucher Prints and Multiples

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...

This is a vintage poster titled "Realisation de la Ligue de la Croix-Rouge, Geneva," commemorating one hundred years of the Red Cross from 1863 to 1963. Due to its folds, the poster ...

Lucien Boucher 🇫🇷 (1889 - 1971) was a French painter, engraver, poster artist and draftsman. He studied ceramics at the Sèvres school before being sent to the front in 1914. Taken ...

Game board designed by Lucien Boucher Les Forbans is a game without any randomness, which is rare for that time. On a world map drawn by Lucien Boucher (famous illustrator known for his maps and posters in the 30's/50's), two teams of pirates settle their accounts. Intended to be played initially with two players, Les Forbans offers special rules that allow up to 6 players to participate. The Mappemonde proposes land and sea routes where the painted lead figurines...

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...

A true masterpiece that makes you travel in a glance and that we are proud to present to you! Lucien Boucher 🇫🇷 (1889 - 1971) is a painter, engraver, poster artist and draughtsman who marked his time. He began by studying ceramics at the School of Sevres before being sent to the front in 1914. He was taken prisoner, and that's when he started to draw. First hired as a caricaturist by the weekly humoristic magazine "Le Rire", he will end up designing posters and flyers for Air France. This fantastic work of Lucien Boucher represents, a mythical phoenix flying in front of an Air France plane on a map of Asia marked by pagoda palaces and minarets, an Asian sailboat at sea and the snow topped by Mount...

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...

Original poster Airline Company - Map - Tourism West - Northern - Orient - Midi In 1937, Lucien Boucher, a renowned French illustrator, unveiled his masterpiece, the "Planisphère ...

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...

In the realm of visual art and graphic design, the name Lucien Boucher (1889-1971) shines brightly as a pioneering figure in the world of poster art. His imaginative and captivating ...

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

In 1939, Lucien Boucher, a renowned French artist and illustrator, created a captivating map for Air France titled "Nova et Vetera", which translates to "New and Old" in Latin. This original lithographic poster is a remarkable fusion of vintage cartographic art and modern aviation, crafted as a promotional piece for the airline. It beautifully symbolizes the connection between the historic routes of exploration and the new ones made possible by air travel. Boucher was celebrated for his unique ability to combine the romanticism of classic maps with the sleek, modern spirit of 20th-century flight. Among his series of illustrated maps for Air France, "Nova et Vetera" stands out with its nostalgic allure and references to history. The map exudes the charm of the age of exploration, echoing the style of 16th- and 17th-century cartographers. Rendered in rich, earthy tones, it depicts brown continents framed by pale blue oceans, evoking the feel of antique navigational...

The 1939 original map by Lucien Boucher, commissioned by Crédit Lyonnais, is a remarkable piece of cartographic art that highlights the regions of North Africa within the French Unio...

Lucien Boucher 🇫🇷 (1889 - 1971) was a French cartoonist, engraver, poster artist and illustrator. A graduate of the École de céramique de Sèvres, he began his career as a caricatu...

Old poster of publicity realized by Lucien Boucher for the National Lottery. The French National Lottery, created in 1933 to help war invalids, veterans and victims of agricultural ...

This is one of the most desirable posters ever created by Lucien Boucher, for Air France. In it we see the various destinations that Air France flew to in the 1950s. Boucher uses the...

This stunning original vintage poster by Lucien Boucher (1889–1971) is among his most sought-after designs for Air France. Created in the 1950s, it showcases the airline’s extensive ...