Foire de Paris Mai 1918

This 1918 original poster by Alphonse Grebel was created to promote the Foire de Paris, the major commercial fair held annually in the French capital. Produced during the final year of the First World War, the poster reflects both patriotic symbolism and the enduring optimism surrounding Paris as a centre of trade, culture, and innovation.

Grebel employs a richly allegorical composition: a classical boat gliding along the Seine carries symbolic figures representing commerce, industry, and the city itself. The presence of Parisian emblems and mythological references reinforces the idea of resilience and continuity, suggesting that even in wartime, Paris remained a hub of economic vitality and artistic prestige.

Stylistically, the work blends late Art Nouveau elegance with emerging early twentieth-century graphic clarity. Warm tones, fluid linework, and balanced typography create a poster that is both decorative and communicative — typical of French exhibition advertising of the period.

Today, this poster stands as a compelling historical artefact, illustrating how cultural events like the Foire de Paris were used to project confidence, encourage economic recovery, and celebrate the identity of the city at a pivotal moment in modern history.

Original Poster

Exhibition - Tourism - Ile de France - France

Fluctuat Nec Mergitur

Printed by Paper in Paris

Good condition, slight creases