Maurin Quina 1906
Buy this print on Etsy →A grinning green devil, horns and all, leans out of the darkness with a corkscrew in hand, and in a single stroke Leonetto Cappiello created one of the most instantly recognizable characters in the history of advertising. This 1906 poster for Maurin Quina is his most iconic design, and one of the most beloved images in all of vintage drink art.
The subject is a cherry-flavored aperitif laced with quinine, and Cappiello sells it with pure devilish charm. Drawing on the infamous Green Fairy imagery long associated with absinthe, he conjures a mischievous emerald imp whose sly energy came to embody the drink's mysterious allure. Set against a deep, undistracting ground, the figure leaps forward with theatrical glee, a masterclass in the artist's belief that a single unforgettable character could sell a bottle faster than any words. This smaller format captures all the visual audacity of the design in a compact, striking composition that loses none of its wicked spark.
The poster's afterlife is as remarkable as its artistry. Maurin Quina itself faded into obscurity after 1906, only to be rediscovered and reintroduced more than a century later, its revival driven in large part by the enduring fame of Cappiello's green devil. The image has become a genuine cult favorite, reproduced and celebrated far beyond the world of poster collectors, a testament to how completely Cappiello fused product and personality into a single unforgettable mascot. It stands as a defining example of the Belle Epoque advertising that transformed the printed page into a stage for larger-than-life characters, and it remains one of the most quoted images in graphic design. Reproduced on everything from gallery walls to guitar cases, the little devil has long outlived the obscure cordial he once advertised, becoming a piece of popular culture in his own right.
As wall art, the green devil is irresistible. Its bold color, dark drama, and wicked sense of humor make it a magnetic focal point above a bar cart, in a game room, den, lounge, or home bar, and it anchors a gallery wall of vintage aperitif prints with instant personality. The striking emerald palette reads beautifully against both dark walls and pale neutrals, suits modern and vintage rooms with equal ease, and its playful mischief brings energy and conversation to any space where drinks and company gather.
Each poster is printed on premium 189 gsm museum-grade archival matte paper with fade-resistant pigment inks, so the vivid greens and deep shadows stay rich and true for years. Choose your size from the drop-down: 8x12, 12x18, 16x24, 20x30, and 24x36 inches. Larger prints ship rolled in a tube to protect the surface, while the smallest size ships flat. Frame not included, so you can style it to suit your room. This is a faithful reproduction of the original vintage poster, carefully prepared to preserve the mischief and color of Cappiello's design. Invite the green devil onto your wall and let a little wicked charm liven up the room.
