Crème De Luzy 1919

Leonetto Cappiello made this poster for Crème De Luzy, and the colours! Red, yellow, and black—it’s so simple, but it has so much impact. I love the confidence of this piece. Cappiello probably didn’t labour over it, and instead made quick decisions to capture a feeling. It’s so direct, like, here’s the product, here’s a vibe, take it or leave it. As a painter, I know that sometimes the best things come when you don't overthink it. You just respond to the material. I wonder what Cappiello was listening to when he made this? Did he have a model? I guess it's just the product he cares about, and the image is just there to help sell the product, but it's so good! It is so amazing how commercial art has influenced painting and painters, like Warhol and his Campbell's Soup Cans. Painters will see this image and see the skill behind it, and respond to it years later. It's like a giant game of telephone!