french-posters

Leonetto Cappiello, who had no formal art training, was born in Livorno, Italy,
and died in Cannes, France. He worked and lived most of his life in Paris. He
was the first poster artist to use bold figures popping out of black backgrounds.
He began his career as a caricaturist for numerous French periodicals. In 1902, a
24-page book of his caricatures was published entitled Gens du Monde (People
of High Society) . At the turn of the century, however, his interest turned to
poster art. His first poster was for the newspaper Le Frou-Frou in 1899.
Cappiello’s career as a poster artist began in earnest in 1900 when he contracted
with the printer Pierre Vercasson, who wanted the posters he produced to stand
out from the rest that were posted throughout the streets of Paris in order to
attract lucrative new advertisers to his agency. After World War I, Cappiello
joined a new agency, Devambez, with whom he remained until 1936.
Devambez’s clients stretched across Europe, introducing Cappiello and his work
to a broader audience.