PAL (JEAN DE PALEOLOGUE, 1860-1942) WHITWORTH CYCLES. Circa 1894. 84 1/8x56 1/4 inches. Paul Dupont, Paris. Condition B+: repaired tears in margins and image; vertical and horizontal folds. Two sheets. In the 1890s Pal was one of the most prolific French poster artists, designing over 100 posters in practically every field. He designed more posters for the bicycle industry than any other artist in Paris. Working for a dozen different manufacturers he was compelled 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 the advertisers happy. In 1894 he designed three different posters for the British bicycle manufacturer Whitworth. The three images, far more straightforward than his usual work, serve as a triptych. In the first image a man who is biking along a country road stops near a wall. Six women are peering over the wall. In this poster, several of the braver women have descended from their perch to examine the exciting new bicycle. Humorously, one of the more bashful women who has stayed behind is extending a handful of roses to the dashing young bicyclist. In the third poster, the women have discovered the freedom of the road and begin to bicycle off themselves. In each of the images Pal employs the classic device of including a poster within the poster. Maindron p.120, Reims 958.
