Belgian advertising was colorful during the fifties and the Atomic Age! All these small pictures, only from Belgian brands, were printed on matchboxes.

The postwar celebration of progress in science and technology for the betterment of mankind sparked the use of scientific symbols in the decorative arts. Typical examples are often referred to as "atomic style." The most memorable "atomic style" symbol of this decade was without any doubt the Atomium, built as centerpiece for the World Expo 58 in Brussels. The Atomium represents the atomic lattice of iron crystals, magnified 165 billion times linearly, according to the "cubic body centered" system. The Atomium is the visualization of microscopic molecular structures on a great enlarged scale. If you wish to read more informations about the fabulous World Expo 58, please visit this enjoyable website.

Here's a splendid webpage full of trashy horror posters from India.

During the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), propaganda and visual communication became very important for the Republic attacked by nationalists rebels. It was necessary to create a strong link between all the people fighting the fascist menace. Even the trains were covered by propaganda posters. In Barcelona, many artists, who were communists, anarchists and socialists, formed a big syndicate. They confiscate a palace, and installed their workshop. 1800 people worked there. They produced bold colorful posters. During that war more than 10.000.000 posters were printed.

Sexploitation & Sinema: discover an exhibit of adult and exploitation movie posters from the 1960s and the early 1970s. Enjoy some of the best pieces in the sexploitation genre !

When I was studying in art school, there was bad painting and good painting. So I heard and learned a lot about Courbet, Matisse, Van Gogh, Cézanne and Picasso… But no teacher talked to me about Bouguereau or Gérôme. Their art was called "Academic" or "Art Pompier" (in french). It was historical painting, with mythological scenes and great battles. It was the official art in the French Second Empire. For a complete review, see wikipedia. Such painters were conservative. They showed their work at The Salon (a giant exhibition held in Paris), and sold their paintings to fortunate private collectors. They were making big money. In the meantime, Realist and Impressionist artists began to attack Academic Art, it was denigrated and seen as "bourgeois" or "kitsch". In the 20th century, with the raise of modern art, Academic painting was nearly blacklisted. But today it is gaining more interest… For instance, a movie maker like Ridley Scott looked closely at Gérôme paintings to prepare his movie GLADIATOR. Academic painting was certainly a source of inspiration for him. And it was already the case in 1977 when he directed THE DUELLIST, with atmospheres directly taken from the paintings of Academic painter Jean-Louis-Ernest Meissonier.