Antar Graphite

This is an original vintage poster for a French petroleum engine lubrication product. Antar was the oil company that invented and manufactured Antar Graphite, which had a black crystalline sulfide added to the oil. It was used in WWII fighter plane engines and claimed that the product reduced friction and had an array of anti-wear properties. While the image is very much politically incorrect today, it is typical of the era.

Pierre Fix-Masseau (1905-1995) was the son of accomplished French sculptor, Pierre Felix-Masseau. Fix-Masseau began his career as an apprentice to master Art Deco designer A.M. Cassandre, for whom he worked for from 1926 to 1928. This experience greatly impacted Fix-Masseau, who continued to work within the Art Deco style for the remainder of his long career. Cassandre's interest in foreshortening, heightened focal points, and flattened planes can be seen in Fix-Masseau's works. Fix-Masseau combined Cassandre's influence with his own mastery of perspective and intricate detail to create his own, distinctive style. Fix-Masseau is best remembered for his posters featuring railway and automotive themes.

During his lengthy career Fix-Masseau maintained his distinctive art deco crisp style and he continued to create new posters well into the 1980's. This artwork was commissioned towards the end of the artist's life, but still captures the flair of elegant design that typified Fix-Masseau's artwork.

This is an Original Vintage Poster; it is not a reproduction. This poster is conservation mounted, linen backed, and in excellent condition.
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