ADOLPHE MOURON CASSANDRE (1901-1968). LA ROUTE BLEUE. 1929.
39x24 1/2 inches. L. Danel, Lille.
Condition B+: restored losses and repaired tears in margins; horizontal folds.
La Route Bleue was a luxury bus line that connected London and Paris with the French Riviera. Although the perspective is the same as in l'Etoile du Nord, the image itself is much more elaborate and Cassandre uses details to build a magical, fascinating mood. The focal point of the poster is the distant horizon at the end of a tree-lined road; the glowing light (the setting sun) from that focal point causes a sophisticated gradation of blues in the sky and along the road. But unlike l'Etoile du Nord, here Cassandre has created an incredible sense of motion. As if the viewer were seated in a moving vehicle, the pavement at the side of the road is clearly visible but the trees are flying by so fast that they form a sharp geometric blur in which their white outlines don't match up with their coloration. Cassandre goes one step further, making the space between the passing trees take on the form of the windows of a bus. This is the previously unrecorded, rare English version. Mouron / Cassandre pl 17, Weill / Cassandre p. 19, Suntory no. 58, p. 82, Reina Sophia p. 165, Modern Poster 153.

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