Le Trait-D'Union

Artist Leonetto Cappiello Italy, 1875 - 1942

Printer Imp. Vercasson, Paris France

Date1916

MediumStone Lithograph

Dimensions54 1/4 x 34 1/2 in. (137.8 x 87.6 cm)

ClassificationsPoster

Credit LineGift of Peter A. Blatz

Terms

Object numberPH.40

DescriptionLeonetto Cappiello’s poster promotes Le Trait-d’Union (The Union Treaty), a daily publication designed to reinforce the ties between France and Italy during World War I. Here, Cappiello, the great Italian poster designer who worked mainly in Paris, has created a composition in the style of a theater poster. Giuseppe Garibaldi, the celebrated unifier of Italy who then went on to fight for France against the Prussians, stands astride the border of the two allied nations as if establishing the solidarity of their connection. With his swirling cape, arms raised above his head in a grand gesture, he appears to be declaiming from the world stage. The list of distinguished contributors to the publication is set below the image in the manner of a credit block for the actors in a play. Like many of Cappiello’s posters, this one was published by the Parisian firm of Vercasson.

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