Posters are found in public places all over the world. They are usually visually striking, designed to attract the attention of passers-by and entice them to purchase a particular product or service, make them aware of a political viewpoint, or attend a specific event.
This remarkable study is an overview of posters throughout history, as well as a representative survey of mass culture from the time of the French Revolution to 2000. Over 450 posters are reproduced here, 250 in full color, selected for both their historical import and their beauty. Author Max Gallo's informative text recapitulates the social and political currents of the day and places each poster in its historical context. The book also includes an essay on the development of poster art by art critic Carlo Arturo Quintavelle.
| The Poster as a Mirror | 9 | |
| 1789-1848: From the Bastille to the "Industrial Wonders" | 15 | |
| 1848-1898: The Triumph of the Middle Class | 41 | |
| 1898-1914: The Products of the Belle Epoque | 69 | |
| 1914-1924: Images of War and Revolution | 183 | |
| 1924-1945: Propaganda and Ideology | 219 | |
| 1945-1970: Words and Images | 273 | |
| 1970-1990: Fragmentation of Society, Uniformity of the Image | 295 | |
| Essay by Charles Flowers: Image and Idea in a Wired Decade: The 1990s | 318 | |
| Bibliography and Picture Credits | 336 |
Overview
Posters are found in public places all over the world. They are usually visually striking, designed to attract the attention of passers-by and entice them to purchase a particular product or service, make them aware of a political viewpoint, or attend a specific event.
This remarkable study is an overview of posters throughout history, as well as a representative survey of mass culture from the time of the French Revolution to 2000. Over 450 posters are reproduced here, 250 in ...