Normandie SNCF 1958

This elegant 1958 travel poster, created by the renowned Japanese-French artist Tsugouharu Foujita, invites viewers into the serene and picturesque countryside of Normandy. Commissioned by the French National Railways (SNCF) as part of their celebrated campaign promoting travel throughout France, Foujita’s composition masterfully captures the region’s timeless charm.

Known for blending Western techniques with subtle Japanese aesthetics, Foujita depicts a quintessentially Norman scene with graceful lines, delicate colors, and poetic simplicity. A charming half-timbered cottage, topped by an idyllic green thatched roof, is nestled amidst lush meadows blooming with soft spring flowers. The pastel sky, punctuated by gently swaying tree branches, evokes Normandy’s famously soft, shifting light—capturing the essence of the region that inspired generations of impressionists.

Foujita’s poster is not merely promotional; it is a refined example of mid-century graphic art, where travel advertising merged seamlessly with fine art. At a time when SNCF was redefining rail travel as both practical and romantic, images like this fostered an emotional connection to destinations, promising tranquility, authenticity, and escape.

Today, Foujita’s "Normandie" stands as a cherished piece of railway ephemera, admired both for its artistic quality and its subtle evocation of rural Normandy. It reflects an era when travel was as much about discovery as it was about leisure—an invitation to experience the gentle rhythms of French provincial life.

Original Poster

Railway - Tourism - France

Good condition