Cap Corse Quinquina 1927

This poster by Jean d'Ylen is bursting with bold lines and blocks of flat color. I'm immediately drawn to the figure in mid-stride, a performer perhaps, rendered in a style that reminds me of Toulouse-Lautrec. I wonder about the artist's choices here. The black background is so simple, yet it makes everything else pop. The character's red jacket and the matching bottles she holds up are eye-catching. It must have been fun to get to play with such vibrant, contrasting colors. It’s like the artist is in conversation with other poster designers from the era, borrowing from them, but also throwing in his own spin. Painters, you know, we're always looking at each other's work, riffing on ideas, and trying to push things forward. D’Ylen is definitely part of that club. Painting is an exchange, a way of seeing and experiencing and then sharing what you've found.