JEAN CARLU (1900-1997) CINZANO. 1950. 62 3/4x46 1/8 inches. De Plas, Paris. Condition B+: restored losses and restoration in top margin; minor restoration at edges. Plastically speaking this masterpiece of lithography is certainly the most interesting of Carlu's post-war images. It is a contemporary reworking of the unofficial, endearing and enduring corporate emblem that Leonetto Cappiello created for Cinzano in 1910; a blue and orange striped Zebra. Carlu has morphed the emblem into a cordial-sipping centaur, half zebra and half jockey, maintaining the corporate color scheme and showing the character lifting a glass of Cinzano. Carlu uses the "ligne souple" (supple line), which was inspired by surrealism. He has added a sophisticated green halo to the dark background, which adds a further element of excellence to this great poster. Carlu no. 76, Modern Publicity p. 38.
