This original 1959 Peruvian travel poster was created to promote the country’s remarkable archaeological and artistic heritage. Issued by Peru’s General Directorate of Tourism, it features the ornamentation of an ancient Paracas mantle preserved as an exceptional example of pre-Columbian textile art.
The composition presents a close-up view of the richly embroidered fabric, centred on a striking anthropomorphic figure surrounded by smaller heads, faces and symbolic forms. Enlarging the textile allows its intricate stitching and imaginative iconography to become the poster’s principal visual attraction.
Deep shades of brown and black form the background, while vivid red, blue, ochre and cream embroidery brings the ancient design to life. The bold white word “Peru” provides a modern graphic contrast and identifies the country without distracting from the historic textile.
The Paracas culture flourished on the southern coast of ancient Peru and became renowned for its extraordinarily sophisticated woven and embroidered textiles. Its surviving mantles are admired for their technical refinement, brilliant colours and elaborate representations of human, animal and supernatural figures.
A distinctive example of South American cultural tourism advertising, this original poster would make an excellent addition to a collection devoted to Peru, archaeology, pre-Columbian art, textiles or vintage travel.
Original poster
Tourism - Photography - Peru
Good condition, a tear
Sign up & benefit from discounts or exclusive offers.