Emile Othon Friesz - Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Français - PORTS DE PROVENCE - 1940s

Émile Othon Friesz – Ports de Provence – SNCF – 1949 – Original Lithograph – Perceval Paris – 100 × 62 cm

Magnificent original French travel poster from 1949, entitled “Ports de Provence,” created after a work by the renowned painter Émile Othon Friesz (1879–1949), for the Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Français (SNCF).

Printed in color lithography by l’Imprimerie Perceval in Paris, this period poster stands as a superb testament to the golden age of French railway tourism advertising.

A work by the painter Émile Othon Friesz

Émile Othon Friesz is a renowned French artist associated with the Fauvist movement, famous for his landscapes, seascapes, and compositions with expressive color.

Through this poster, the artist highlights the ports of Provence and the Mediterranean atmosphere, in a composition full of character, light, and artistic sensitivity.

The treatment of forms, the richness of colors, and the quality of the composition give this poster a true artistic dimension, well beyond its original advertising function.

An emblematic SNCF poster

Issued in 1949 for the Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Français, this lithograph is part of the great post-war campaigns to promote tourism.

At the time, SNCF collaborated with recognized artists to promote French regions and invite travelers to discover the riches of the national heritage.

“Ports de Provence” perfectly illustrates the meeting between French pictorial art, travel advertising, and the history of the railways.

Imprimerie Perceval – Paris

This poster was printed by Perceval, Paris, in color lithography, a technique particularly valued for its artistic rendering and the depth of its nuances.

Features

- Title: Ports de Provence
- Artist: Émile Othon Friesz (1879–1949)
- Year: 1949
- Patron: Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Français (SNCF)
- Printer: Perceval, Paris
- Technique: Color lithography
- Edition: Original period poster
- Dimensions: 100 × 62 cm
- Country: France
- Period: Mid 20th century
- Themes: Provence, Mediterranean, tourism, marine, railway heritage and advertising art

Condition

Original 1949 poster in generally good condition, considering its age.

The illustrated part is in good preservation, maintaining the beauty of the drawing, its colors, and the overall artistic composition.

Note: a small flaw on the side of the poster, visible in photographs. This defect is localized and does not affect the overall aesthetic value of the work.

Please review the photographs carefully, which are an integral part of the description and allow you to assess the exact condition of this vintage poster.

Artistic, historical, and decorative interest

This poster brings together several qualities highly appreciated by collectors: the renown of Émile Othon Friesz, an original 1949 lithograph, a commission from the SNCF, and a print run by Perceval in Paris.

Its large format of 100 × 62 cm gives it a striking decorative presence. It would fit perfectly in a living room, office, gallery, or a collection dedicated to French travel and railway posters.

It will appeal to both twentieth-century art enthusiasts and admirers of Provence, Mediterranean landscapes, and vintage advertising posters.

A superb original 1949 travel lithograph, full of charm and authenticity, marrying the art of Émile Othon Friesz, SNCF heritage, and the know-how of Imprimerie Perceval in Paris. A beautiful collector’s piece with strong decorative character.