Air France Weathercock poster – Jean Picart le Doux – 1954

Poster: Air France Gallic Rooster Weathervane  poster – Jean Picart le Doux – 1954

We love this poster! It;s bright, colourful and most of all a clever design. Its interesting design does just enough to pique the interest and wonder why.

The grand chateau in the background is Château de Chambord probably the most famous chateaux in the Loire Valley and one of the most beautiful castles in France. Work started on the building in 1519 by Francis I King of France, who intended to use it as a hunting lodge during the summer months. In 1547, before the building could be completed King Francis died.

Upon his death, the Royal family relocated to Paris. The Kiing’s son Henry II, continued construction on the castle, to, as his father had intended, to use the building occasionally as a Royal Hunting Lodge. Following a few short visits for hunting the Chateau with its 440 rooms, 77 staircases and 365 fireplaces, fell out of  favour and it remained predominantly vacant for the next 400 years.

Due to its vast size, Château de Chambord, and it remaining empty for long periods of time, furnishings tended to be brought with the Royal court during visits and removed upon their return to Paris. Today it’s the icon of Loire Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1965 and almost a million tourists visit and appreciate its beauty each year.

In front of the stunning Chateau is a Gallic rooster weathervane. The Gallic Rooster is an unofficial symbol of France that dates back to the Gauls. According to the French Moments website “France identified herself to the cockerel for its courage, determination and virility when defending the flock.” ” The cry of the rooster is a symbol of victory renewed every morning”.

The site explains further –  “In the 9th century Pope Nicholas I decreed that all churches in the Christendom should be topped by a rooster weathervane”. These roosters would be a permanent reminder of the cockerel crowing three times upon Peter’s third denial of Jesus during the Passion of the Christ. 

The weathercocks were duly set on the highest point of French towns and villages, many of which can still be seen today. 

‘Good Morning weathercock, make this day bright’.

Our posters are carefully and professionally created from vintage originals. Whilst great care is taken in the production of these posters, we also try to maintain a vintage feel, so there may be small imperfections, fold marks, scuffs, tears or marks that were part of the original poster master. If these do appear they should be visible on the larger views of the item on this listing. The originals of many of the posters we offer can cost many thousands of pounds, so whilst these posters look great, especially framed and mounted on a wall, they are intended as a fun, affordable reproductions and not intended fine art prints.

The 50x70cm version has been specially produced to be used in conjunction with Ikea’s 50x70cm Ribba picture frame which currently retails for around £12. So you can bag a bargain of print and poster for just £22.