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"Very nice Posters. The quality is amazing and we received it very quickly !"
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"A shop to visit absolutely. Huge selection of posters. We spent more than an hour there !"
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"Perfect to find gift. Price are very good. An they can frame and pack it on site"
About the Artist
Henri Boulanger was a French poster artist active during the Belle Époque, a period when illustrated advertising flourished on the streets of Paris. His work reflects the Art Nouveau movement’s embrace of beauty, symbolism, and the power of design to elevate everyday products. Boulanger, like his contemporaries, helped shape the visual language of modern advertising, blending artistry with commercial appeal.
This vintage poster stands as a testament to the era’s creative spirit and is closely related to the graphic innovations found in our advertising posters collection.
The Artwork
Pétrole Stella was commissioned to promote a household petroleum product at a time when reliable lighting and heating were transforming urban life in France. The poster’s imagery and branding reflect the optimism of a society embracing new technologies and conveniences. By presenting petroleum as both practical and almost magical, the artwork captures the aspirations of a modernizing public eager for progress and comfort.
This advertising piece is emblematic of the late nineteenth-century belief that design could inspire trust and enthusiasm for emerging products, making it a cultural artifact as well as a commercial tool.
Style & Characteristics
The poster features a central female figure with butterfly wings, symbolizing transformation and energy. Her ethereal presence is rendered with flowing lines and stylized forms, hallmarks of Art Nouveau aesthetics. The composition is anchored by bold, decorative typography spelling out the product name, ensuring immediate recognition.
Blue and white dominate the palette, accented by vivid red details that draw the eye and add vibrancy. The overall effect is luminous and theatrical, typical of French poster art from this period. This style harmonizes with the decorative elegance seen in Alphonse Mucha posters and other classic turn-of-the-century prints.
In Interior Design
This fine art print complements interiors that blend vintage charm with modern simplicity, such as Parisian eclectic or contemporary spaces seeking a striking graphic element. It is particularly effective as vertical wall art in entryways, above bar carts, or in home offices where historical design objects add character.
To highlight its palette, pair with blue textiles, white walls, and touches of red in accessories, or explore more options in blue toned wall art. For a cohesive gallery wall, combine with other Art Nouveau or French advertising prints in understated frames.