Bernard Villemot

Bernard Villemot (1911, Trouville-sur-Mer – 1989) was a French graphic artist known primarily for his iconic advertising images for Orangina,^[1] Bally Shoe,^[2] Perrier, and Air France. He was known for a sharp artistic vision that was influenced by photography,^[3] and for his ability to distill an advertising message to a memorable image with simple, elegant lines and bold colors.^[4]

From 1932 to 1934, he studied in Paris with artist Paul Colin,^[5] who was considered a master of Art Deco.^[6] From 1945 to 1946, Villemot prepared posters for the Red Cross.^[5] In the late 1940s, he also began a famous series of travel posters for Air France that would continue for decades.^[5] In 1949, Villemot's works were exhibited with those of his contemporary poster artist Raymond Savignac at the Gallery of Beaux Arts in Paris.^[5] In 1953, Villemot began designing logos and posters for the new soft drink Orangina, and over time these works would become some of his best known.^[5] In 1963, the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris held an exhibition of his works.^[5] By the end of his life in 1989, he was known as one of the last great poster artists,^[4] and many collectors and critics consider him to be the "painter-laureate of modern commercial art."^[7]

Since his death in 1989, his memorable images have been increasingly sought after by collectors.^[8] At least three books have been published that survey his art: "Les affiches de Villemot," by Jean-Francois Bazin (1985); "Villemot: l’affiche de A à Z," by Guillaume Villemot (2005);^[5] and "Embracing an icon: the posters of Bernard Villemot," by George H. Bon Salle (2015).^[9]