Unic 1913

Leonetto Cappiello's 1913 poster for the shoemaker Unic is a study in unapologetic luxury, and something of a rarity within the artist's celebrated body of work. Where many of his contemporaries chased understated refinement, and where Cappiello himself often favoured stark, graphic economy, here he does the opposite. He leans fully into ornamental splendour, presenting the brand's signature footwear resting upon lush folds of silk, a vision of comfort, quality and frank opulence.

The design captivates precisely because it indulges. Rich fabric, sumptuous texture and a sense of tactile abundance surround the product, elevating a simple pair of shoes into an object of desire. Cappiello invites the viewer not just to notice Unic but to covet it, to associate the name with elegance and material pleasure.

That instinct for persuasion is what earned Cappiello (1875-1942) his title as the father of modern advertising. He understood that a poster must seize attention instantly, and he pioneered a bold visual language of vivid figures set against dark, radiant grounds. Rather than cataloguing a product, he gave each brand a distinctive character and mood, an approach that would shape commercial art for the whole of the twentieth century.

This poster belongs to the Belle Epoque, the 'beautiful era' from 1871 to 1914, when colour lithography let artists blanket Paris in vivid imagery and turned the advertising poster into genuine collectable art. Alongside Cheret and Mucha, Cappiello helped elevate the commercial print into one of the defining visual pleasures of the age.

Hung on a wall, this opulent design brings warmth and a sense of occasion. Its rich palette and confident composition make it a striking focal point above a bed, sofa or dressing table, a glamorous anchor for a gallery wall, and an elegant note of vintage luxury in a bedroom, boutique, hallway, living room or walk-in wardrobe. It appeals naturally to lovers of fashion history, fine craftsmanship and the golden age of French advertising.

Each print is produced to order on premium 189 gsm museum-grade archival matte paper with fade-resistant pigment inks, so the colours stay rich and the detail stays sharp for years. Choose your size from the drop-down menu: 8x12, 12x18, 16x24, 20x30 or 24x36 inches. Your poster is shipped rolled inside a sturdy tube, while the smallest size travels flat for safe keeping, and a frame is not included so you can select a mount to match your interior.

This is a faithful fine-art reproduction of the original lithograph, carefully colour-matched and printed to archival standards rather than a flat commercial copy. It preserves the texture and character of the antique original while arriving crisp, clean and ready to frame. Luxurious and full of period charm, it makes a memorable gift for admirers of Cappiello, fashion illustration and Belle Epoque design, and a lasting way to bring a touch of vintage elegance into a home, studio or workplace.