Charles Loupot Posters at the Hôtel de Sens

The Hôtel de Sens was built in the 1400s to serve as a residence for the archbishops of Sens.  Before 1622, Paris did not have its own archdiocese and was under the authority of Sens.  Of course the archbishops needed a place to stay when visiting Paris so they built this beautiful mansion.

Front of Hôtel de Sens

Inside the Courtyard of Hôtel de Sens

The Hôtel de Sens is now a library and it also has special exhibitions.  I went last Saturday to a lovely Charles Loupot exhibit.

Loupot
Poster Painter

Loupot was born in 1892 in Nice and grew up in Geneva.  He was one of the major creators of posters between the two world wars.  He is regarded as one of the originators of the art deco style.

Entrance to the Exhibit

Charles Loupot

I love the look in the eyes of the woman below at her toilette-as if surprised by the artist.

Poster for a Furrier in Lausanne

Woman at her Toilette

It seems when he was creating posters for cars, he was not interested in what the car looked like but how the brand made you feel.

His later work became more geometric.  My favorite was the 1927 poster advertising toys at Le Bon Marché.

Toys at the Bon Marché

Valentine Paint and Enamel Posters

During World War II, the Vichy government did not allow advertising for alcoholic beverages.  Loupot had originally been hired to advertise the St. Raphael Quinquina apéritif brand in 1937.  In 1950, when advertising was allowed again, he reimagined the brand.  The figures became more geometric with a short fat red waiter and tall thin white waiter who were instantly recognizable.

Waiters running up Champ de Mars
to the Eiffel tower

Métro Poster from 1950

This was a fun little exhibit and it was free.  I need to go back again with our next visitors.


Pretty Details in the Hôtel de Sens Courtyard