Leonetto Cappiello (Italian 1875-1942)

Leonetto Cappiello is the Father of the Modern Poster. He started his arts career as a caricature artist in 1896 illustrating for French journals like Le Rire, Le Cri de Paris, Le  Sourire, L’Assiette au Beurre, La Baionnette, Femina, and others. His early caricature style was seen to be influenced by Henri Toulouse-Lautrec, who was already the most famous artist of the time. Cappiello's defining caricature works was "Les Contemporains Celebres". He pictured above in studio creating a work for this series, Mme. Jane Hading, which is offered in the collection below.

"Cappiello developed a penchant for contagious exuberance and intoxicating overstatement, as well as the technique of utilizing strong, flat colors against dark backgrounds, Cappiello's posters shocked, surprised and moved the viewer; he arrested the attention of the passerby with incongruity, and as a result, effectively etched an image into their mind's eye. He created an entirely new advertising vocabulary and his posters can be said to be fantastic - in a completely literal sense." (Jack Rennert)
Most Popular Artists
  • Livorno Stagione Balneare

    Leonetto Cappiello, Italian (1875-1942)

    Livorno Stagione Balneare

    R.01

    Original lithograph from the "Ricordi Portfolio" 
    Printed in Italy 1914. View entire collection (70)
    Presented in 16 in x 20 in acid free, archival museum...

    $750.00
    $750.00
  • Musica e Musicisti

    Leonetto Cappiello, Italian (1875-1942)

    Musica e Musicisti

    R.02

    Original lithograph from the "Ricordi Portfolio" 
    Printed in Italy 1914. View entire collection (70)
    Presented in 16 in x 20 in acid free, archival museum...

    Sold
    I can usually source this poster. If you are interested please contact me. Greg
    $1150.00
  • Novita per Signora

    Leonetto Cappiello, Italian (1875-1942)

    Novita per Signora

    R.03

    Original lithograph from the "Ricordi Portfolio" 
    Printed in Italy 1914. View entire collection (70)
    Presented in 16 in x 20 in acid free, archival museum...

    $1150.00
    $1150.00
  • Magazzini Italiani

    Leonetto Cappiello, Italian (1875-1942)

    Magazzini Italiani

    R.04

    Original lithograph from the "Ricordi Portfolio" 
    Printed in Italy 1914. View entire collection (70)
    Presented in 16 in x 20 in acid free, archival museum...

    Sold
    I can usually source this poster. If you are interested please contact me. Greg
    $995.00
    Rare
  • Polaire a la Scala

    Leonetto Cappiello, Italian (1875-1942)

    Polaire a la Scala

    LR C11

    from "Le Rire" 
    Original page from the satirical weekly magazine,
    Printed in Paris, issue No. 284, Published April 14th 1900
    Printing on verso.
    Presented...

    Sold
    I can usually source this poster. If you are interested please contact me. Greg
    $295.00
  • Mme. Sarah Bernhardt

    Leonetto Cappiello, Italian (1875-1942)

    Mme. Sarah Bernhardt

    CC.01

    Original lithograph from "Les Contemporains Celebres". 
    Printed by Publications Octave Beauchamp 
    & G. de Malherbe, Paris, 1904.

    Also includes: Signed (in the plate)...

    $325.00
    $325.00
    Saleroom price. Reg $650
  • Francois Coppee

    Leonetto Cappiello, Italian (1875-1942)

    Francois Coppee

    CC.02

    Original lithograph from "Les Contemporains Celebres". 
    Printed by Publications Octave Beauchamp 
    & G. de Malherbe, Paris, 1904.

    Also includes: Signed (in the plate)...

    $250.00
    $250.00
  • Jules Lemaitre

    Leonetto Cappiello, Italian (1875-1942)

    Jules Lemaitre

    CC.03

    Original lithograph from "Les Contemporains Celebres". 
    Printed by Publications Octave Beauchamp 
    & G. de Malherbe, Paris, 1904.

    Also includes: Signed (in the plate)...

    $250.00
    $250.00
  • Mme. Rejane

    Leonetto Cappiello, Italian (1875-1942)

    Mme. Rejane

    CC.04

    Original lithograph from "Les Contemporains Celebres". 
    Printed by Publications Octave Beauchamp 
    & G. de Malherbe, Paris, 1904.

    Also includes: Signed (in the plate)...

    $450.00
    $450.00
  • Jules Claretie

    Leonetto Cappiello, Italian (1875-1942)

    Jules Claretie

    CC.05

    Original lithograph from "Les Contemporains Celebres". 
    Printed by Publications Octave Beauchamp 
    & G. de Malherbe, Paris, 1904.

    Also includes: Signed (in the plate)...

    $250.00
    $250.00
  • Mme. Segond-Weber

    Leonetto Cappiello, Italian (1875-1942)

    Mme. Segond-Weber

    CC.06

    Original lithograph from "Les Contemporains Celebres". 
    Printed by Publications Octave Beauchamp 
    & G. de Malherbe, Paris, 1904.

    Also includes: Signed (in the plate)...

    $350.00
    $350.00
  • Jean Richepin

    Leonetto Cappiello, Italian (1875-1942)

    Jean Richepin

    CC.07

    Original lithograph from "Les Contemporains Celebres". 
    Printed by Publications Octave Beauchamp 
    & G. de Malherbe, Paris, 1904.

    Also includes: Signed (in the plate)...

    $250.00
    $250.00
  • Mme. Marthe Brandes

    Leonetto Cappiello, Italian (1875-1942)

    Mme. Marthe Brandes

    CC.08

    Original lithograph from "Les Contemporains Celebres". 
    Printed by Publications Octave Beauchamp 
    & G. de Malherbe, Paris, 1904.

    Also includes: Signed (in the plate)...

    $450.00
    $450.00
  • Coquelin Aine

    Leonetto Cappiello, Italian (1875-1942)

    Coquelin Aine

    CC.09

    Original lithograph from "Les Contemporains Celebres". 
    Printed by Publications Octave Beauchamp 
    & G. de Malherbe, Paris, 1904.

    Also includes: Signed (in the plate)...

    $250.00
    $250.00
  • Mme. Jeanne Granier

    Leonetto Cappiello, Italian (1875-1942)

    Mme. Jeanne Granier

    CC.10

    Original lithograph from "Les Contemporains Celebres". 
    Printed by Publications Octave Beauchamp 
    & G. de Malherbe, Paris, 1904.

    Also includes: Signed (in the plate)...

    Sold
    I can usually source this poster. If you are interested please contact me. Greg
    $450.00