11th Arts Menagers French Trade Show Poster C. 1934

Arts Ménagers was a popular French trade show focused on household goods and appliances that took place annually in Paris for several decades in the mid-20th century. The event was promoted through a series of iconic advertising posters created by renowned French artists. The Salon des Arts Ménagers (Household Arts Show), originating after World War I, symbolized a profound shift in domestic life and aesthetics. Initially launched in 1923 as the Salon des Appareils Ménagers (Home Appliances Fair), it evolved into a critical nexus for converging functionality and design in everyday French life. This exhibition wasn’t just a platform to display innovative domestic appliances; it marked the inception of a domestic revolution under the direction of pioneers like Jules Louis Breton and Paulette Bernège, embodying the new French ideal that married practical utility with aesthetic pleasure. Jules Louis Breton and Paulette Bernège, serving as the Undersecretary of State for Inventions, Breton championed the educational drive towards effective household management, a need accentuated by wartime challenges. Concurrently, Paulette Bernège helped institutionalize this burgeoning field by establishing the Institut d’Organisation Ménagère in 1923. Their collaborative efforts were fundamental in sculpting a more efficient, informed approach to managing the home, echoing the Salon’s ethos of combining utility with design. Arts Ménagers posters are known for their vibrant colors, playful designs, and mid-century modern aesthetic. Some notable characteristics include bold typography, the words “Arts Ménagers” often featured prominently in large, stylized lettering, colorful imagery with bright, eye-catching color schemes and symbolic representations. Artists frequently used creative visual metaphors to represent household themes. One of the most famous Arts Ménagers posters was created by Bernard Villemot in 1952. The Arts Ménagers trade show typically took place at prominent Parisian venues including the Grand Palais, and    the Palais de la Défense. Arts Ménagers posters have become collectible items, valued for their artistic merit and as representations of mid-century French graphic design and consumer culture. By Jacques Nathan-Garamond, Illustrator. Perfect for staging companies, real estate agents and brokers, as well as appliance stores and home décor business offices.