Rhum Charleston, Bordeaux 1925

Jean d'Ylen made this poster for Rhum Charleston in Bordeaux, likely with lithographic printing. It’s all about colour, a creamy yellow that oozes glamour, paired with a cherry-ripe red, and a deep, dark forest green in the background. I wonder if the artist was imagining a fancy dress party as he drew this harlequin figure. I can almost see the artist experimenting with shapes and colors, trying out different arrangements until they found the perfect balance. I bet the artist also imagined the smell of Rhum as he made it, hoping to entice people to buy the bottle! I love how the figure is slightly off-kilter. It’s a simple shift, but it brings the whole thing to life. It reminds me of Toulouse Lautrec and the other poster artists who managed to make the city into an art gallery for all.