Leonetto Cappiello: High-Definition Vintage Advertising Poster Prints
Leonetto Cappiello (1875–1942)
Widely revered as the 'Father of Modern Advertising' for single-handedly revolutionizing poster art at the turn of the 20th century. Unlike his contemporaries, Cappiello discarded complex borders and detail in favor of bold, whimsical figures leaping from simple, often black, backgrounds. This visual surprise was designed to capture the attention of a faster-moving public, directly influencing the Art Deco aesthetic. At The Trumpet Shop, we offer premium reproduction Cappiello posters that perfectly capture the vibrancy and graphic simplicity of his iconic commercial work. Step back into the Belle Époque and shop his masterpieces.
The Advertising Revolution: Bold Figures and Visual Shock
Leonetto Cappiello began his career as a highly effective caricaturist in Paris journals, which honed his ability to simplify a subject to its most essential, dramatic form.
His greatest innovation in poster design was to abandon the tradition of illustrating the product itself. Instead, Cappiello focused on creating an iconic, often surreal figure—like a towering woman on a red horse (Chocolat Klaus) or a green devil (Maurin Quina)—to embody the product's spirit and memory. These bold, central figures, often set against a flat, saturated background, achieved instant brand identification and fundamentally changed graphic design by prioritizing visual surprise and symbolic impact over literal depiction.
Cappiello’s work marks a pivotal bridge from Art Nouveau to Art Deco poster design. Explore other works from the Belle Époque and Art Deco movements.
Shop Cappiello's Most Iconic Food & Drink Posters
Famous Alcohol and Aperitif Prints
This poster for Campari (c. 1922) features a dual-colored Pierrot clown, which brilliantly symbolizes the brand's two complementary products: the red figure holds the vibrant Bitter Campari, while the white figure holds the clear Cordial Campari. Cappiello's theatrical background as a caricaturist inspired him to use this iconic figure to convey the essence of the drinks in a single, unforgettable visual metaphor.
Commercial Products and Fashion Prints
This dynamic 1921 poster for Pâtes Baroni pasta is a quintessential example of Cappiello’s style, featuring a lively Pierrot character from the Commedia dell'arte dramatically sampling spaghetti against a bold, flat red background. By using this iconic theatrical figure, Cappiello instantly created a memorable visual symbol for the product's joyous, celebratory nature, ensuring the advertisement stood out in the fast-paced city street.
From the Parapluie Revel umbrella poster to Mossant hats, Cappiello elevated commercial products to art. View our full range of Leonetto Cappiello vintage product prints.
Reproducing Cappiello's Bold Contrast and Color
Saturation
To faithfully reproduce Cappiello's dynamic style, our process ensures perfect color saturation and contrast. Our Giclée reproductions use archival inks to maintain the integrity of his vibrant primary colors set against the signature flat black background, delivering a museum-grade modern advertising art print that truly pops off the wall.