Cognac Richarpailloud by Jean D'ylen

This extraordinary 1930 stone lithograph for Richarpailloud Cognac stands among the masterpieces of French Art Deco advertising. Created by Jean d’Ylen, the celebrated poster artist born Jean Paul Begyn, the composition transforms a commercial advertisement into a theatrical spectacle of movement, color, and personality. Against a dramatic black field, a radiant red haired figure bursts forward in swirling scarlet garments, clutching the heraldic emblem of the cognac house like a stage performer presenting a royal standard. Few posters of the interwar period achieve this level of visual electricity, where fashion, fantasy, and advertising merge so seamlessly. D’Ylen was one of the defining illustrators of French commercial art between the wars, renowned for his ability to create instantly recognizable images through bold silhouettes, exaggerated movement, and saturated color. Here, his palette of vermillion red, cobalt blue, and gold creates a striking contrast designed to command attention from a distance on the streets of Paris. The figure’s flowing costume and animated posture recall both the exuberance of Belle Époque cabaret imagery and the streamlined modernity of Art Deco design. Printed in the monumental French Grande format, approximately 47 by 63 inches, the poster was conceived for maximum impact in public display, where its theatrical energy would have been impossible to ignore. The work was printed by Imprimerie Vercasson, one of the premier Parisian printing houses responsible for many of the finest French posters of the early twentieth century. Issued in December 1930, the poster emerged at a pivotal moment in French luxury culture, just as the optimism and glamour of the Art Deco era began to confront the economic realities of the Great Depression. Cognac producers competed fiercely during this period to associate their brands with sophistication, pleasure, and aristocratic refinement, themes reinforced here through the heraldic shield carried by the central figure. Today, surviving examples of D’Ylen’s large format posters are prized not only as advertisements, but as important works of twentieth century graphic art. Richarpailloud Cognac represents the height of French poster design during the interwar years: flamboyant yet refined, commercial yet undeniably artistic. Monumental in scale and unforgettable in composition, it remains one of the most visually arresting expressions of Art Deco advertising ever produced. Size: 61.5" x 41.0" Artist: Jean d'Ylen Condition: Very Good, Age-appropriate wear, fading and toning. Conservation mounted on linen. Original fold lines have been professionally restored. Various areas of color touch up on small and medium internal tears. Small border piece-ins and areas of restoration. Scattered background scuffs. Horizontal creasing in lower right, and upper left black area. Please use the photo zoom feature to get a better understanding of overall condition. *Additional photos available upon request.