Ce soir - Ilya Ehrenbourg La tempête Circa 1950

The circa 1950 original poster for "Ce Soir" featuring Pablo Picasso's portrait of Ilya Ehrenbourg and promoting "La Tempête", the sensational novel by the Soviet writer, is a remarkable blend of art and literature. This piece was created to promote the serialized publication of Ehrenbourg's novel in the French daily newspaper "Ce Soir", which was known for its independent political stance and its commitment to leftist causes.

Pablo Picasso, one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, contributed the striking portrait of Ilya Ehrenbourg, which dominates the poster. The portrait is drawn in Picasso’s characteristic style, marked by its minimalist lines and expressive emotion. The inscription on the portrait, dated 29 August 1948, adds a personal touch, as it appears to be dedicated by Picasso to a friend. Picasso's close relationship with Ehrenbourg, a fellow leftist and cultural figure, is reflected in the artist’s sensitive rendering of the Soviet author’s face.

Ilya Ehrenbourg, a Soviet journalist, novelist, and cultural figure, was well-known in both Soviet and Western literary circles. His novel "La Tempête" (The Tempest) is presented as a sensational piece of literature, and its appearance in the pages of "Ce Soir" reflects the paper’s engagement with Soviet intellectualism and its appeal to a politically aware French readership. Ehrenbourg’s works often dealt with themes of war, revolution, and the human condition, subjects that resonated strongly in post-World War II Europe.

The poster is also a visual representation of the collaborative spirit of the postwar intellectual scene, where art and politics were often intertwined. The use of Picasso’s artwork to promote Ehrenbourg’s novel underscores the blending of avant-garde art with political and literary movements of the time. "Ce Soir", founded in 1937, had become a platform for left-wing voices, and this poster embodies the paper’s commitment to merging cultural and political discourse.

The poster’s typography is bold and modern, with the title "La Tempête" in large red script at the bottom, standing out against the stark black background. The phrase "Vous offre le sensationnel roman" (offering you the sensational novel) emphasizes the novelty and importance of Ehrenbourg's work, while the inclusion of Picasso’s signature adds to the poster’s artistic significance.

Printed by O.P.F. Paris, the poster is a fine example of mid-20th century French graphic design, combining modernist artistic techniques with effective advertising. The collaboration between a renowned artist like Picasso and a Soviet writer like Ehrenbourg illustrates the international connections in the world of culture and politics during this period, reflecting the intellectual and artistic climate of post-war France.

This circa 1950 poster is not only a piece of promotional material but also a historical document, capturing the intersection of art, literature, and politics in a turbulent era. The collaboration between Picasso and Ehrenbourg, mediated through the medium of "Ce Soir", offers a glimpse into the rich cultural exchanges that defined the postwar intellectual landscape. Today, the poster remains a valuable artifact for collectors of art and political history, as well as for those interested in the deep connections between the Soviet and French cultural scenes during the mid-20th century.

Press - Literature

Sensational novel by the great Soviet writer

Good condition, traces of folds