Pierrefonds Compiègne et Coury poster – Gustave Fraipont – 1900 – Les Maîtres de l’Affiche Pl 218

Pierrefonds Compiègne et Coury poster A Journey Through Time: Gustave Fraipont’s Art This remarkable Pierrefonds Compiègne et Coury poster, dating from the turn of the twentieth century, is a captivating advertisement for train travel to the village of Pierrefonds. The village sits on the south-east edge of the beautiful Forest of Compiègne. Commissioned by the Chemin de Fer du Nord, the poster was painted by the acclaimed Belgian artist Gustave Fraipont in 1900. It is a rare and exquisite example of vintage travel art. The vintage railway poster promotes the historic and scenic areas of Pierrefonds, Compiègne, and Coury. Fraipont’s masterful design is a visual feast. He places the magnificent Château de Pierrefonds at the heart of the poster. The castle, which looks as though it has been lifted straight from a fairytale, is a site of stunning beauty and historical significance. The artist’s depiction is dominated by the equestrian statue of Louis I, Duke of Orléans, by Emmanuel Frémiet. The statue, surrounded by lush trees, shrubs, and colourful flowers, stands regally in the foreground. In reality, this majestic statue resides within the Château’s courtyard. The grandeur of the castle has made it a popular filming location for films such as The Man in the Iron Mask and TV series like Merlin. Historical Landmarks of the Region Fraipont’s design for the Pierrefonds Compiègne et Coury poster includes two further historic cameos. In the top left corner, he features the Hôtel de Ville de Compiègne (Compiègne Town Hall), a magnificent 16th-century flamboyant Gothic building. Like other structures in the poster, it underwent extensive restoration in the 19th century under the guidance of Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. Today, this historical monument serves as the headquarters for the city of Compiègne. In the top right, the artist includes an image of the Château de Coucy, a formidable 13th-century French castle. Located in the nearby village of Coucy-le-Château-Auffrique, the castle has a dramatic history. It was once a sumptuous palace before being dismantled and used as a stone quarry. After being purchased by King Louis-Philippe, it was tragically destroyed during the First World War. Fraipont’s cameo offers a timeless glimpse of this magnificent ruin. Les Maîtres de l’Affiche Pl 218… A Masterpiece Recognised by the Best The quality of this artwork did not go unnoticed. The renowned French lithographer Jules Chéret considered Fraipont’s Pierrefonds Compiègne et Coury poster so exceptional that he included it in his prestigious Les Maîtres de l’Affiche (Masters of the Poster) series as Plate 218. This collection, which ran from 1895 to 1900, featured 256 colour lithographic plates by ninety-seven different artists. The plates, each reproduced from an original poster, were delivered to monthly subscribers. The inclusion of this poster in such a highly regarded series confirms its status as a masterpiece of late 19th-century graphic art. Its rarity and historical significance make it a highly sought-after piece for collectors and art enthusiasts today.