Go by Train to Brittany | 1956

Go by Train to Brittany, 1956, by Jacques Nathan-Garamond

This vibrant, modernist poster showcases the coastal beauty of Brittany with a striking colour palette and stylised geometric forms. The composition presents a beach scene dominated by a bright blue fishing boat with a tall mast in the foreground, resting on golden sand. Behind it, several small figures tend to colourful boats at the water's edge. The background features a picturesque coastal village with distinctively Breton architecture – cubist-inspired buildings in white, yellow, pink, blue and orange with angular rooftops. A church spire rises prominently among the buildings. Above, a serene blue sky with soft white clouds completes the idyllic scene. The message "GO BY TRAIN TO BRITTANY" appears in bold grey lettering at the bottom.

This poster was commissioned by the Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Français (SNCF), France's national railway company, during a significant period of post-war tourism development in the 1950s. Following World War II, domestic tourism was expanding rapidly in France as the economy recovered and leisure travel became more accessible to ordinary citizens. Railways played a crucial role in this development, particularly in connecting regions like Brittany to major urban centres. The SNCF, which had been formed in 1938 through the nationalisation of France's private railway companies, actively promoted regional tourism through attractive poster campaigns. This 1956 poster specifically aimed to entice travellers to visit Brittany's picturesque coastal villages and beaches, highlighting the convenience of train travel to this northwestern peninsula of France known for its distinctive culture, maritime traditions, and scenic coastline.

Jacques Nathan-Garamond (1910-2001) was a prominent French graphic designer whose career spanned much of the 20th century. Born Jacques Nathan, he adopted the name Garamond during World War II and subsequently used Nathan-Garamond as his professional name. After studying at the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, he established himself as a versatile commercial artist working across multiple disciplines. His distinctive style, influenced by constructivism and modernism, earned him commissions from major clients including Air France, Mazda, and Telefunken. Nathan-Garamond was particularly noted for his travel posters, where he employed bold colours, simplified forms, and geometric composition to create visually striking promotional imagery. In 1952, he became a founding member of the prestigious Alliance Graphique Internationale (AGI), a professional association of eminent graphic designers. His artistic achievements were further recognised in 1957 when he received a gold medal at the Milan Triennale.