By Georges Goursat (Sem)
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Monte Carlo Beach" is an original travel poster from around 1932 by the French illustrator Georges Goursat (called Sem, 1863-1934) and printed by Draeger in Paris. The theme of Monaco as a 'rediscovered paradise,' as is inscribed in French in bold red letters on the left, is on full display. In the image, Adam and Eve are pulled on a boogie board across the aquamarine waters of the Mediterranian, Eve holding a bright red apple in her hand. The serpent, who tempted Eve in the book of Genesis, glides beside them. The coastline of Monaco can be seen in the distance, showing the viewer that Paradise is a place on Earth.
Travel posters like these, while vibrant and colorful examples of illustration and design, are also important documents of the 1930s: many governments saw the promotion of tourism and travel as an effective way to reboot the economy after the market crash of 1929. The Great Depression likewise left many artists, including Goursat, struggling to find work and commercial projects such as this would certainly have been a welcome source of income.
28 x 44 inches, artwork
31 x 47 inches, frame
Georges Goursat was a French caricaturist known as “Sem.” In 1888 Goursat self published three albums of caricatures, signing them "SEM." It is thought that this was in tribute to the early 19th century French caricaturist and lithographer Charles Amédée de Noé, who signed his caricatures for the periodical “Le Monde Illustré”as "Cham."
A charming and talented man, Goursat was working in Paris at the time of the opening of the Universal Exposition in 1900 where the Art Nouveau style in architecture and decoration was hugely popular. His inspiration came from observing French high society enjoying life at restaurants, at the opera and at the races. Goursat actually chose horse racing as his way of entry to French "Beau Monde." Just three months after his arrival to Paris he self published an album titled “Le Turf” with caricatures of many prominent Parisians. The success of this album made him famous overnight.
Goursat supported himself selling illustrations both humorous and serious to the French major periodicals of the day. He put together albums of caricatures depicting high society in Monte Carlo, Deauville, the Cote d’Azur, and Paris. He wrote articles and created posters illustrating the tourist towns of Deauville, Cannes and Monte Carlo. His art is particularly associated with the Belle Epoque and his unique style of drawing brought him great success and fame.
Biography via Fine Antique Prints...
Category
1930s Modern Georges Goursat Prints and Multiples