Europe - Air France (c.1957)

Year: Undated (vintage, original image 1957)

Format: Postcard

Illustrator: Jean Carlu (1900-1997)

Client: Air France

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Details: This vintage postcard features a 1957 illustration for Air France. It was originally created as poster artwork by French graphic designer Jean Carlu (1900-1997).

Carlu came from a family of architects and started training as an architect himself. He turned to commercial art after losing his right arm in an accident when he was 18.

He began his career as a poster artist in 1919 and became a leading figure in French poster design. He went to New York in 1937 to organise an exhibition at the World’s Fair, remaining there until after WWII. He created a number of notable poster designs for the US government’s war effort.

In 1953 he returned to France and continued working as a poster designer and art director for many companies, including Air France.