Geo DORIVAL

Born in 1879, Géo Dorival is one of the most important poster artists of the early 20th century. As early as 1907, he produced numerous tourist posters for French railway companies, such as PLM or the Chemins de fer de l'Ouest. A talented colourist, he played with twilight and night-time tints and favoured mysterious atmospheres. During the First World War, Géo Dorival took part in the war effort by producing works of a patriotic nature, before turning once again to the tourist poster in 1918.

Appointed successively artistic director, then director, of the magazine "L'Art et la Mode", he gradually gave up his activity as a poster artist, conscious of not being able to pursue two such demanding careers at the same time. In 1928, he produced his last masterpiece, the triptych "Vers le Mont-Blanc" (Towards Mont Blanc), in which he combined his very personal use of colour with great graphic modernity. From then on, Géo Dorival devoted himself exclusively to the direction of his magazine. He died in 1968, leaving behind him some 110 posters, including many masterpieces.

To be read: J.-Ch. Giroud, "Géo Dorival 1879-1968, les affiches", Editions Patrick Kramer, Geneva.