Bitter Campari Milano poster – Marcello Dudovich The Kiss 1904 – Vintage Food&Drink Poster
Marcello Dudovich’s “The Kiss” poster, created in the 1900s as an advertisement for Bitter Campari, is a captivating piece of art that has stood the test of time. The artist’s image started in 1901 when Dudovitch created a charcoal and pastel drawing on paper. The original rendering was carried out in a palette of gold, yellow, grey, tan and brown colours. The drawing depicted a sensuous and, for the time, risque and quite controversial image of a young couple passionately locked in an embrace in a sitting room of the renowned Bar Tabarin in Paris. The Bitter Campari Milano poster captures the two young lovers caught in a moment of intimacy, oblivious to their surroundings. It exudes a sense of passion, sensuality, and allure.
When commissioned by Davide Cinzano to produce a poster to advertise their Bitter Campari aperitif, Dudvich turned the image into an even more dramatic image by drenching it in a bold, red cast. The fiery red colour not only reflects the red-hot passion of the couple in the image but also the colour of the much-loved liqueur.
The notes of the Marcello Dudovich Archive perhaps describe it best. The monochrome hue leaves no room for doubt, red is the advertised bitter, red is the love that ignites them, red is the colour that flares up in the passionate kiss, red is the light that illuminates the darkness of the tabarin”. In newspaper adverts carrying Dudovich’s image was often accompanied with the strapline “The pleasure of an era is the continuity of a choice”.
Bearing in mind the artist was just 23 years old, Dudovich’s artistic prowess is evident in the meticulous attention to detail in the poster. The composition is carefully crafted, with the lovers positioned prominently in the centre, drawing the viewer’s focus to their passionate embrace. The use of colour, particularly the dominant red tones, adds drama and intensity to the scene, creating a sense of intrigue and allure. The woman’s dress, with its flowing lines and bold red colour, adds a touch of sensuality, while the man’s sharp attire exudes sophistication and charm.
Beyond the visual elements, Dudovich’s “The Kiss” poster also captures the essence of the era. Created during a time of changing social norms and evolving artistic styles, the poster reflects the spirit of the 1900s, with its sense of freedom, expression, and hedonism. Bar Tabarin, a popular venue in Paris known for its lively nightlife and entertainment, adds an element of exoticism and mystique to the scene, drawing the viewer into a world of indulgence and pleasure.
Over a century after its creation, Dudovich’s “The Kiss” poster continues to captivate art enthusiasts and admirers of vintage advertising alike. Its bold use of colour, evocative composition, and timeless depiction of passion and intimacy make it a true masterpiece. It remains a testament to Dudovich’s artistic talent and his ability to create enduring works of art that transcend time and continue to captivate audiences to this day.
Other vintage wines, beers and spirits posters are perfect for your home decor, bar, office, snug, kitchen…
Since the end of the nineteenth century, thousands of alcohol-related posters have been published. We are constantly adding new ones to our website, but we’ve selected ten of our personal favourites from our Food & Drink poster collection for you to look at. Despite the numbering, these appear in no particular order. You know the old adage, you can’t choose between your babies, you love them all equally. Well, that’s how we feel about these vintage alcohol prints.
- Monastine Liqueur de l’Abbaye de St Gratien – Eugene Oge – 1892
- Absinthe Robette – Privat-Livemont – 1896
- Maurin Quina – Leonetto Cappiello
- Anis Infernal – Leonetto Cappiello – 1905
- Porto Ramos-Pinto poster – Rene Vincent – 1920
- Martini Torino – Marcello Dudovich 1930
- Berger 45 Type Marseillais poster – Roland Ansieau – 1935
- My Goodness My Guinness Lion Poster – Gilroy – 1937
- De Venoge Champagne poster – Robert Falcucci – 1939
- Kinagin, le Vermouth au Quina et au Gin – EP – 1941
We offer a fascinating collection of reproduction beers, wines & spirits vintage posters all guaranteed to make you merry without you touching a drop. If you’re looking for a poster to brighten up your drinks evenings then this poster will make your home bar complete. All our posters are available in shot glass size (small A5) to pitcher (large A1) sizes, which means there’s one available to quench your thirst, sorry, fit your space. The colours are vibrant and really stand out and they’re printed on 300gsm (pretty thick) high-quality silk paper and they’re cheaper than a round of drinks at the bar! They make the perfect statement and will be sure to impress all your friends! Pop this print on your wall to add an explosion of colour to your home and a taste of bubbly Champagne chic to your decor. Place your drinks poster order today. Cheers!
