Port de Guerre - Toulon

Long before the French Riviera became a playground for French elites on holiday, it was an important port of call for trade and military. Toulon is a town in this bucolic Mediterranean area of France, and is known historically for its large naval base. The town dates back to Ancient Rome, largely due to the accessibility of its port. It played a large role in various wars throughout the ages, from the Holy Roman Empire to the French Revolution and to this day is the home of the French Navy's outpost in the region. This beautifully illustrated poster highlights this history in its depiction of a naval ship, a dinghy of sailors, and flags of France's many alliances at the time. Hugo d’Alesi (1849-1906) created this stunning poster. Born in Romania, d’Alesi was one of the first true poster artists and he worked almost exclusively for the P.L.M. train company. He printed his posters in an elaborate fashion that often incorporated more than 15 colors, which gave them a rich, watercolor ef