PAL (JEAN DE PALEOLOGUE, 1860-1942) SOCIETE LA FRANCAISE. 611/4x43 inches. Chardin, Paris. Condition B+: crease, repaired tears, overpainting and minor losses in margins and image; vertical and horizontal folds. Pal designed more posters for the bicycle industry than any other artist in Paris. He worked for a dozen different manufacturers, compelling him to continuously find novel ways to promote their products. Through his creativity, ingenuity and graphic exuberance this proved to be no problem as he would gladly evoke kitsch, and dress (or undress) his buxom women in the most bizarre attire in order to keep all of the advertisers happy. For La Societe Francaise he called upon extravagant, romantic historical figures to help him identify the brand. Here, in an intriguing mix of the modern and medieval, a victorious knight is standing at the foot of a castle mound surrounded by all of her vanquished foes. Her trusty two-wheeled steed is by her side, while all of the beaten mounts lie in ruins around her.
