LOUIS CHARBONNIER (1874-1935) CHOCOLAT KESTELOOT. Circa 1900. 62x43 3/4 inches, 158x111 cm. Jombart Freres, Paris. Condition B+: repaired tears and creases in margins and image; restored losses and restoration in margins and along vertical and horizontal folds. Although unknown today, the Kesteloot Chocolate company attempted to convey an international presence through its advertising early in the 20th century. The firm was most likely a Flemish company, judging by its name, and supported by the fact that the poster was printed in Lille, right near the Belgian border in the north of France. The light-hearted and joyful image shows a beautiful woman dispensing chocolates to the peoples of the world, and Charbonnier has worked hard to incorporate as many ethnicities as possible. With the exception of Africa, he has managed to represent denizens of all the world's continents each in their national attire. Chocolate p. 53.
