Oct 02, 2003 - Sale 1978

Sale 1978 - Lot 2

Price Realized: $ 5,980
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 2,000 - $ 3,000
ALEXEY BRODOVITCH (1898-1971) CUNARD LINE. 1929.
42x293/4 inches. H. Chachoin, Paris.
Condition B+: restored losses and overpainting in margins; overpainting along vertical and horizontal folds.
In keeping with the corporate image that Cunard was happy to impress upon its customers, Brodovitch has created a very refined poster, with sophisticated Art Deco graphics and elegant typography. Part of its appeal - and what is most unusual - is that for all of its style, it is quite empty. It is hard to think of another ship poster that takes such a minimalist approach. Brodovitch was a key figure in the development of 20th century graphic design. Born in Russia, he emigrated to Paris where he first distinguished himself as a graphic designer, winning five medals at the 1925 exhibition. He moved to New York in the 1930s, and became the art director for Harper's Bazaar. In this capacity he hired A. M. Cassandre (as well as other top European designers like Man Ray and Herbert Bayer) to design magazine covers. He was also responsible for nurturing and developing young American talents like Richard Avedon.