L'élégante Circa 1930

This original poster printed in lithograph was created circa 1930 by French artist Georges Villa. Known as L’Élégante, or The Elegant Lady, the composition captures the refined seaside glamour and carefree sophistication associated with the interwar period.

The image depicts a fashionable young woman seated beside a tree overlooking the sea. Her short waved hairstyle and graceful pose are characteristic of the era, while an enormous decorated parasol partially conceals her figure and introduces an element of mystery and playful seduction.

Villa builds the composition through delicate tones of ochre, rose, blue and warm brown. The richly patterned parasol dominates the image, its painted birds and flowers contrasting with the softly rendered coastline, distant sailing boats and abandoned hat in the background.

Georges Villa was a French illustrator, engraver, lithographer and poster designer whose work encompassed portraiture, advertising, journalism and book illustration. His elegant draughtsmanship and interest in fashionable society are particularly evident in this atmospheric image.

Presented without advertising lettering, the composition retains the immediacy and decorative quality of an independent work of art. A charming example of French interwar graphic design, it would appeal to collectors of Art Deco imagery, fashion illustration and vintage seaside posters.

Original poster

Signed by hand by the artist

Good condition