Robert Bonfils; poster for the Paris 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes; 1925; colour lithograph from woodblock

Poster for the 1925 Paris Art Deco exhibition with a colour woodcut in red and black depicting a woman in a draped dress, carrying a large basket of flowers over her head, accompanied by a black leaping stag. Lettered with the name of the exhibition and printer's. Signed by the artist.

Presented by Frank Pick of the Underground Electric Railways Company of London

A set of four posters were commissioned for the 1925 Exposition internationale des arts decoratifs et industriels modernes in Paris. Three were by up-and-coming young artists and graphic designers, including Robert Bonfils and Charles Loupot, and the fourth was by the sculptor Antoine Bourdelle, considered one of France's greatest living artists at the time. The style Art Deco takes its name from the 1925 exhibition, held from April to October. Whilst elements of the style had existed since the 1910s, this 'World’s Fair' featured some 20 countries and launched Deco on a global scale. Approximately 15 million visitors saw around 15,000 exhibits with pavilions also representing private companies including luxury goods stores like Le Bon Marché. Following the ravages of the First World War, the event set out to showcase new decorative art designs for a Brave New World. In many ways it was about France reasserting her dominance at the vanguard of innovation and as a taste-maker in international style.

E.1200-1925