Bernard Villemot Explained

Bernard Villemot (1911, Trouville-sur-Mer – 1989) was a French graphic artist known primarily for his iconic advertising images for Orangina,[1] Bally Shoe,[2] Perrier, and Air France. He was known for a sharp artistic vision that was influenced by photography,[3] and for his ability to distill an advertising message to a memorable image with simple, elegant lines and bold colors.[4]

Biography

From 1932 to 1934, he studied in Paris with artist Paul Colin,[5] who was considered a master of Art Deco.[6] From 1945 to 1946, Villemot prepared posters for the Red Cross.[5] In the late 1940s, he also began a famous series of travel posters for Air France that would continue for decades.[5] In 1949, Villemot's works were exhibited with those of his contemporary poster artist Raymond Savignac at the Gallery of Beaux Arts in Paris.[5] In 1953, Villemot began designing logos and posters for the new soft drink Orangina, and over time these works would become some of his best known.[5] In 1963, the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris held an exhibition of his works.[5] By the end of his life in 1989, he was known as one of the last great poster artists,[4] and many collectors and critics consider him to be the "painter-laureate of modern commercial art."[7]

Since his death in 1989, his memorable images have been increasingly sought after by collectors.[8] At least three books have been published that survey his art: "Les affiches de Villemot," by Jean-Francois Bazin (1985); "Villemot: l’affiche de A à Z," by Guillaume Villemot (2005);[5] and "Embracing an icon: the posters of Bernard Villemot," by George H. Bon Salle (2015).[9]

Notes and References

  1. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/article71711.ece The Buy: Orangina Poster
  2. Web site: New Straits Times - Google News Archive Search.
  3. https://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/01/arts/raymond-savignac-94-french-poster-artist.html?scp=5&sq=Villemot&st=cse Raymond Savignac, 94, French Poster Artist – New York Times
  4. https://archive.today/20130201025256/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24831920.html?dids=24831920:24831920&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Sep+25,+1988&author=Karen+E+Klages&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&edition=&startpage=3&desc=WHEN+IT+COMES+TO+POSTERS,+COLLECTORS+CAN'T+AFFORD+TO+GET+HUNG+UP+ON+THE+MASTERS When It Comes To Posters, Collectors Can'T Afford To Get Hung Up On The Masters
  5. http://www.lesartsdecoratifs.fr/francais/publicite/collections-97/l-univers-de-la-publicite/metiers-et-grands-noms/affichistes/villemot Villemot (1911–1989) – Les Arts Décoratifs – Site officiel
  6. http://www.theopenpress.com/index.php?a=press&id=33839 Free Press Release News Wire
  7. https://archive.today/20130131204838/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24263354.html?dids=24263354:24263354&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Oct+26,+1993&author=Lou+Carlozo,+Tribune+Staff+Writer.&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=TODAY'S+DEEP-POCKETED+COLLECTORS+ARE+SOLD+ON+THE+ART+OF+ADVERTISING&pqatl=google Today'S Deep-Pocketed Collectors Are Sold On The Art Of Advertising
  8. https://web.archive.org/web/20121022114653/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24407016.html?dids=24407016:24407016&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=May+14,+1992&author=Andrew+Lecky.&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Prices+off+the+wall+for+vintage+posters&pqatl=google Prices off the wall for vintage posters
  9. http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/907451064 WorldCat

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