Toq Quinquina - Cappiello

This striking poster for “TOG Quinquina” was created by the celebrated Italian-born poster artist Leonetto Cappiello (1875–1942), widely regarded as the father of modern advertising. Executed during the early 20th century, this work exemplifies Cappiello’s revolutionary approach to poster design—bold, theatrical, and instantly memorable.Cappiello broke from the detailed, text-heavy style of earlier Belle Époque posters, instead favoring simplified compositions set against vivid, often monochromatic backgrounds. The strong contrast between the deep black horse, vivid blue typography, and luminous background ensures maximum visual impact from a distance—an essential quality in early advertising.Quinquina refers to a quinine-based aperitif, popular in France in the late 19th and early 20th centuries for its purported medicinal and digestive qualities. Produced by Albert Trilles in Perpignan, TOG Quinquina was marketed as both a health tonic and a fashionable beverage. Cappiello’s imagery brilliantly captures this dual identity—combining vitality, elegance, and a touch of theatrical fantasy to elevate the product beyond the ordinary.Today, this poster is considered one of the rarer and more visually captivating examples of Cappiello’s work. This is an Original Vintage Poster, it is not a reproduction. This poster is conservation mounted and linen backed. There are areas of staining in the background as well as a replaced bottom area of text – visible in the photo. We guarantee the authenticity of all our posters.