FRANCIS BERNARD (1900-1979) FÊTES DU COMMERCE FRANÇAIS. 1934. 61x45 1/4 inches, 155x115 cm. Paul-Martial, Paris. Condition B+: repaired tears in margins; minor restored loss along bottom right edge; printer's creases and wrinkles in image. This huge exhibition promoting French trade took place in France's largest stadium, in the Parisian suburb of Colombes. Bernard represents Mercury in his personal, stylized way. The image, with its efficient use of the airbrush to make it bolder, is strengthened by the use of the red, white and blue French national colors and the clean and clear typography. "Like Cassandre with the little Dubonnet character and Loupot with his little wooden one for Galeries Barbes, Francis Bernard attempts to find a stylization of the figure." (Chisholm / Bernard preface). Chisholm / Bernard np.
