Born in Bonnières, France, Jean Carlu came from a family of architects and studied to enter that profession. After an accident at the age of eighteen in which he lost his right arm, Carlu turned to graphic design. His early work reveals a fascination with the angular forms and spatial nuances of Cubism.
As Carlu's work evolved over the next two decades, it continued to show a concern with the geometric shapes of Cubism, but this was manifested in very different ways. Carlu sought to create a symbolic language in which color, line, and content would represent emotional values. His work thus achieved a distinctive, streamlined economy of form, rarely incorporating narrative or illustrative elements.
Carlu spent the years of World War II in the United States, where he executed a number of important poster designs for the government's war effort. Characterized by the same scientific precision of form as his other work, these designs were well suited to the promotion of industrial efficiency. Both American and international design traditions continue to reflect his influence.
This is part 1 of a 2-part post on the woks of Jean Carlu:
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| c1920 Emprunt National 1920 (National Loan 1920) lithograph 121 x 81 cm |
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| 1920 Banca Italiana di Sconto (Italian Discount Bank) lithograph 80 x 120 cm |
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| 1921 Le Gosse (The Kid) lithograph movie poster 160 x 120 cm |
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| 1922 Peugeot: Paris (France) lithograph 161.25 x 118.75 cm |
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| 1924 Lui... Elle... toujours Dubonnet (Him...Her... always Dubonnet) lithograph 36.8 x 26.6 cm |
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| c1925 Mon Savon c'est.."Monsavon" (My Soap is..."Monsavob") lithograph 152.4 x 117 cm |
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| 1925 Odol: Le Dentifrice Incomparable (The Incomparable Toothpaste) lithograph (size not found) |
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| c1926 CAF Voyages Aériens Cent Avions & Hydravions (CAF Air Travel) (One Hundred Planes & Sea Planes) lithograph 99.7 x 64.4 cm |
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| 1926 Aquarium de Monaco Muse´Oceanographique (Oceanographic Museum) lithograph 107 x 78 cm |
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| 1927 A Votre Santé... Pousset Spatenbråu, Munich (Cheers... Pousset Spatenbråu, Munich) lithograph 78.7 x 59 cm |
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| c1928 Engagez-Vous Dans L'Armée Française (Join the French Army) lithograph 116.75 x 77.5 cm |
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| 1928 Porte-T-Elles La Devise (Do They Carry The Motto) lithograph 31 x 23.3 cm |
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| 1928 Pépe Bonafé lithograph 159 x 119 cm |
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| c1929 Disques Odéon lithograph 32 x 24 cm |
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| 1929 Théâtre Pigalle Eclairages Machinerie (Machinery Lighting) lithograph 156 x 103 cm |
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| 1929 Théãtre Eclairs lithograph 123 x 112 cm |
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| 1930s Economique Cuisine Electrique (Economical Electric Kitchen) lithograph 29.8 x 22.8 cm |
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| c1930 Palace Rochelieu lithograph 62 x 45.5 cm |
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| c1930 Gifrer Eau Oxygénée (Gifrer Hydrogen Peroxide) lithograph 31 x 47 cm |
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| 1930 Théatre Pigalle: Feu du Cie (Theater Pigalle: Fire From Heaven) lithograph 32 x 21 cm |
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| 1931 Exposition Union des Artists Moderne (Union of Modern Artists Exhibition) lithograph 56.2 x 38.1 cm |
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| 1932 Pour Le Desarmement Des Nations (For The Disarmament of Nations) lithograph 154 x 114 cm |
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| 1932 L'Obole Souscription Nationale (L'Obole National Subscription) lithograph 59 x 40 cm |
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| 1932 L'Atlantide (Atlantis) lithograph 159 x 120 cm |
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| 1932 Bénéfices Pour les Uns (Benefits For Some) Pour les Autres: La Mort (Death for Others) lithograph 156.7 x 115.8 cm |
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| 1933 Le République Oriente Moderne (The Modern Eastern Republic) lithograph 29 x 21 cm |
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| 1934 Grandes Fêtes de Paris (Great Festivals of Paris) lithograph 94 x 58.5 cm |
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| 1934 Fêtes de Paris lithograph 120 x 160 cm |
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| c1935 Pour La Paix Adhérez a L'internationale Verte (For Peace Join the Green International) lithograph 150.5 x 110.5 cm |
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| c1935 Journéee D'Espérance (Day of Hope) lithograph 160 x 119 cm |
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| c1935 Achetez Le Carnet National Des Colonies de Vacances (Buy The National Holiday Camp Booklet) lithograph 59 x 39 cm |
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| 1936 Publicité 1936 (Publicity 1936) Arts et Métiers Graphiques lithograph cover |
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| 1937 Exposition Internationale: Paris 1937 lithograph 40 x 26.3 cm |
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| 1936 Journée Nationale de la Paix (National Peace Day: Spanish Civil War poster) lithograph 156.75 x 115.25 cm |
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| 1939 Journée Franco-Britannique (Franco British Day) lithograph 79.2 x 121 cm |
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| 1939 La Nuit de Trocadéro (Trocadéro Night) lithograph 39.8 x 30 cm |
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| 1940 Semaine du Secours National (National Relief Week) lithograph 120 x 78 cm |
