Air France - Afrique Du Nord Sm

Air France, founded in 1933 always had a close relation with North Africa. Morocco was a French Colony from 1912 until 1956, and Air France moved operations from France to Casablanca, Morocco during WWII. By 1948, when this poster was created, Air France operated 130 aircraft and was one of the largest fleets in the world. Air France wanted to show through their posters that they were flying to many places, even if they were remote and lesser known by the general public. For Afrique du Nord ("North Africa"), the artist Bernard Villemot was most likely inspired by Casablanca and other Moroccan cities. The buildings are painted in white with some hints of pale pink and yellow. A tall minaret stands out in the middle of the image. The contrast between the soft blue background and the whites, yellows and pinks evokes the dessert at night time. Bernard Villemot (1911-1989) was one of the foremost poster artists in the 1960’s and 1970’s, known for his innovative design and use of color. B