This original 1954 French railway poster was issued by the SNCF, the French national railway company, to promote travel to Normandy. It reproduces a composition by Raoul Dufy, whose colourful and joyful style perfectly captures the region’s leisurely rural and coastal character.
The composition overlooks a lush garden descending towards the water, where boats pass across the bay beneath a softly coloured sky. A grazing cow, a cyclist, garden furniture and a red-and-white villa introduce charming details of everyday Norman life.
Dufy employs fluid lines and loosely applied shades of green, blue, pink and red to create an image filled with movement and freshness. The elegant simplicity of the “Normandie” lettering allows the expressive artwork to remain the principal focus of the design.
Raoul Dufy was a celebrated French painter, illustrator and decorative artist associated with Fauvism. Renowned for his luminous colours and spontaneous drawing style, he frequently depicted seaside resorts, regattas, gardens and scenes of fashionable leisure.
A charming and highly decorative example of post-war French railway advertising, this original poster would make an excellent addition to a collection devoted to Raoul Dufy, Normandy, the SNCF or European travel.
Original Poster
Railway - Tourism - France - SNCF
Printed by De plas in Paris
Good condition, one crease mark
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