Jean Cocteau Exhibition Poster – 1957 Matarasso Nice Vintage Art
This Jean Cocteau exhibition poster showcases surrealist line art with vibrant fish-shaped eyes. This mid-century French lithograph is printed on 200 GSM museum-grade matte paper.
What You Will Receive
- Made to order, museum-grade art print. Frame not included unless stated.
- Printed on 200 GSM premium matte paper for crisp detail and zero glare.
- Archival giclée inks that resist fading for decades.
- Multiple size options. Use the selector above.
- Protective packaging: rigid mailer or sturdy tube.
Print Quality
Every print is produced using state-of-the-art giclée technology on heavyweight 200 GSM matte paper. The non-reflective surface eliminates glare while the archival pigment inks deliver rich, accurate colours designed to last a lifetime.
Size Guide
For walls above furniture, choose a print roughly two thirds to three quarters the width of the piece below it. Smaller sizes up to 11×14 inches suit gallery walls. Larger formats of 18×24 inches and above create striking focal points.
Verified Customer Reviews
Shipping
Every order is printed on demand. Processing takes 3 to 5 business days, then ships free worldwide with tracking.
| Region | Processing | Delivery | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 3–5 days | 2–6 days | 5–11 days |
| Canada | 3–5 days | 5–10 days | 8–15 days |
| UK & Europe | 3–5 days | 5–10 days | 8–15 days |
| Australia & NZ | 3–5 days | 8–15 days | 11–20 days |
| Asia | 3–5 days | 7–15 days | 10–20 days |
| Rest of world | 3–5 days | 10–20 days | 13–25 days |
📦 Packaging
Prints up to 12×18 inches ship flat in rigid cardboard mailers with backing board. Larger prints are rolled in sturdy tubes with protective end caps. Every package includes moisture barriers and Handle With Care labels.
Returns and Replacements
- 30-day return window from delivery. No questions asked.
- Report damage within 48 hours with photos for a free replacement.
- Full refunds for eligible returns in original condition.
- Cancel before production starts for a complete refund.
- Return shipping covered for defective or incorrect items.
Need help? info.merchfuse@gmail.com
How to Care for Your Print
Follow these steps to keep your print looking gallery fresh for decades.
Handling
Allow rolled prints to relax flat for 30 to 60 minutes. Handle by the edges with clean, dry hands and avoid touching the printed surface.
Placement
Avoid direct sunlight, heat sources and high humidity areas. North-facing walls receive less UV. Use LED or incandescent lighting instead of fluorescent.
Framing
Use acid-free mats and UV protective glass or acrylic for maximum longevity. Leave a small gap between print and glazing for airflow.
Cleaning
Dust framed glass with a soft cloth. Spray the cloth, not the glass. For unframed prints, use a dry microfibre cloth and never apply liquids to the surface.
Climate
Keep temperature at 18–24 °C and humidity at 40–60%. Avoid attics, basements and garages where conditions swing widely.
Storage
Store flat in acid-free folders, interleaved with tissue paper, in a cool dark place. Never fold. Check stored prints annually.
⚠️ Avoid
- Prolonged direct sunlight or fluorescent lighting.
- Bathrooms, kitchens and areas above heat sources.
- Tape, adhesives or liquids applied directly to the print.
- Rolling with the image facing inward as this can crack the ink layer.
- Extreme or rapid temperature and humidity changes.
📊 Expected Lifespan
- 100+ years when framed with UV protective glazing and indirect light.
- 50–75 years when framed with standard glass and indirect light.
- 25–50 years when stored correctly in darkness.
The Jean Cocteau exhibition poster for the 1957 Matarasso show in Nice represents a pinnacle of mid-century French lithograph design. This specific work, created for the Exposition de livres, dessins, lithographies, souvenirs, showcases the distinctive visual vocabulary that the artist developed throughout his prolific career. The composition centers on a profile view, a recurring motif in his drawings, integrated with stylized, fish-shaped eyes that carry the weight of his surrealist leanings. The high-resolution print captures every nuances of the original charcoal-like strokes and handwritten cursive French typography.
Visual History of the Jean Cocteau exhibition poster
This 1957 graphic work utilizes a vibrant palette of red, yellow, green, and purple, characteristic of the Mediterranean light found in the French Riviera. The Matarasso Nice vintage art style is defined by its whimsical yet deliberate linework. The face, rendered in a single, confident stroke, provides a structural foundation for the more fluid, handwritten text that circles the central figure. The fish eyes are particularly noteworthy, filled with intricate geometric patterns and concentric circles that suggest a deeper, symbolic meaning often found in his cinematic and literary works. This surrealist line art print reflects the artist’s ability to blend mythology with modernism, a trait that defined the 1950s French avant-garde.
Technical Specifications and Materiality
Every Jean Cocteau exhibition poster we produce follows strict museum standards to ensure the preservation of the original’s aesthetic intent. We use a 200 GSM museum-grade matte paper that provides a non-reflective surface, ideal for viewing under various lighting conditions. This heavyweight stock prevents rippling and ensures the print remains flat when mounted. The use of fade-resistant archival inks guarantees that the colors remain as punchy as they were in the original 1957 run from the Mourlot printing house.
- Paper: 200 GSM museum-grade archival matte finish.
- Inks: Professional fade-resistant archival large-format inks.
- Source: High-resolution digital scan of the original 1957 lithograph.
- Framing: Standard frame-ready sizes, ships unframed in protective tubes.
1950s Gallery Wall Decor and Styling
Integrating 1950s gallery wall decor into a modern interior provides a sophisticated nod to mid-century design movements. The Jean Cocteau exhibition poster is not merely a decorative item; it is a historical document from a specific moment in the Nice art scene. The text on the poster, mentioning the dates from September 27 to October 31, 1957, grounds the piece in its original context as a functional advertisement for a gallery event at the Boulevard Dubouchage. The vibrant colors and playful subject matter make it an excellent choice for a brightly lit kitchen, a scholarly library, or a creative home office.
The endurance of this Jean Cocteau exhibition poster lies in its simplicity. While many posters from this era utilized complex photographic elements, this mid-century French lithograph relies on the power of the line. The interaction between the text and the illustration creates a sense of movement, as if the artist was sketching directly onto the paper in real-time. By reproducing this work on high-quality matte paper, we maintain that tactile, hand-drawn feel that is so vital to understanding the artist’s process.
Choosing this Jean Cocteau exhibition poster means owning a piece of art history that bridges the gap between commercial advertising and fine art. Each print is carefully inspected for color accuracy and sharpness before being shipped. Whether you are a collector of French surrealism or simply looking to add a pop of mid-century color to your home, this print serves as a refined and historically significant addition to any wall.
This is fan-inspired artwork and an original artistic interpretation. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially licensed by any studio, production company, label, artist, photographer, or rights holder.
Price range: $3.90 through $59.90
Price range: $3.90 through $59.90
Price range: $3.90 through $59.90
Price range: $3.90 through $59.90
