Bergasol – Bernard Villemot – c. 1976 - French Beach Poster original

Original French advertising poster for Bergasol sun lotion, designed by Bernard Villemot circa 1976. With its brilliant color, simplified forms and unmistakably elegant silhouette, the image is a superb example of Villemot's distinctive approach to French advertising design.

Villemot transforms the pleasures of summer into a remarkably economical composition, using bold areas of flat color and graceful curves rather than unnecessary detail. The sun-drenched figure and vivid palette perfectly capture the glamorous image of Mediterranean holidays and suntanning that Bergasol cultivated during the 1970s.

Bernard Villemot (1911–1989) was one of the most important French commercial artists of the postwar period. Instantly recognizable for his sophisticated use of color and elegantly simplified figures, he created celebrated campaigns for brands including Bally, Orangina and Perrier, as well as a memorable series of designs for Bergasol. His posters are now regarded as classics of mid-20th-century French graphic design.

Dating from circa 1976, this original large-format Bergasol poster is a particularly decorative example of Villemot's work. It has been professionally backed on linen and remains in excellent condition with strong, vibrant color.

Artist: Bernard Villemot (1911–1989)
Size: 27.5 x 33.5 inches / 70 x 85 cm
Linen: On linen
Technique: Offset lithography
Year: c. 1976
Condition: Excellent A