Campari Cordial Liquor Poster – Vintage Alcohol Poster – Marcello Nizzoli 1926
The Campari drinks manufacturing company has a long history of using posters as a key component of its advertising campaigns, dating back to the early 20th century. The company recognised the power of eye-catching visuals to capture people’s attention and create a lasting impression. By commissioning some of the most talented artists of their time, they were able to create posters that were not only visually stunning but also conveyed the essence of the Campari brand. The Campari Cordial Liquor Poster featured on this listing is a perfect example.
1926 was a time of seismic change for the Campari Group. The then director Davide Campari made the decision to reduce the drinks manufacturers product range to just two products. Its flagship Campari L’aperitivo and its new raspberry-infused Cordial Campari Liquor. To promote the drinks Davide Campari commissioned the renowned Italian artist Marcello Nizzoli to create an advertising poster for both products.
Although Nizzoli is well-known for his poster designs for brands including Motosacoche and FN Motorcycles, it is his two iconic poster designs for Campari that he is best-known for. This stunning Cordial Campari vintage poster is certainly one of his best. It’s a simple, still-life portrayal of a bottle of Campari on a tiny table. It is accompanied on the left by a bowl of fruit and biscuits and on the right by a petite tray on which stands a small liquor glass filled with the golden aperitif. The scene is strikingly portrayed against a dramatic, deep red backdrop, which appears to be a deliberate reference to the distinctive red colour of Bitter Campari, the sibling beverage in the Campari portfolio.
The Campari Cordial poster is a masterful work of art, showcasing the brilliant talent of artist Marcello Nizzoli. A major aspect of the poster’s success can be attributed to Nizzoli’s dramatic lighting. The Campari Cordial bottle has an almost ethereal glow, accentuated by the bright white light that falls on it and the table top. This creates a dynamic and exciting visual element that immediately captures the viewer’s attention.
In addition to the use of light, Nizzoli has also made use of shadow to great effect in this poster. The red background dominates the image, but quickly fades away into dark shadows, making it look like a poster for a film noir. The use of light and shadow creates a sense of mystery and intrigue that is often associated with this genre.
The poster’s viewpoint is also unusual and intriguing. Rather than showing the Campari Cordial bottle from a traditional angle, Nizzoli has chosen to depict it from a unique and dynamic perspective. This alludes to the camera angles used by Alfred Hitchcock in his films, adding a layer of sophistication and intrigue to the image. Overall, the Campari Cordial poster is a true masterpiece of advertising art, combining technical skill, creativity, and a deep understanding of the power of visual communication to create an image that is both beautiful and memorable.
Despite the minimal use of text, the Cordial Campari Liquor wording stands out with its bold red and green colour scheme. The stylized green and red letters prominently display the product’s name, while the smaller text in the lower left corner adds the company name, Davide Campari & Co – Milano.
Campari Cordial Liquor
One of the unique products made by Campari was Cordial Campari, a sweet liqueur with a syrup-like consistency that is based on raspberry distillate. Like the famous Bitter Campari, Cordial Campari was also produced at the same facility in Sesto S. Giovanni. However, the production of Cordial Campari was discontinued in 1992, which brought an end to its long history. Despite its discontinuation, Cordial Campari remains a beloved and iconic product, celebrated for its unique flavour and association with the Campari brand.
Other Vintage Campari Posters
Whilst Nizzoli’s fabulous Campari Cordial Liquor Poster is certainly one of the most iconic and celebrated Campari posters ever produced, it is only one in a long line produced by Campari to advertise and promote their drinks. Many of the most famous Italian and other European artists across the decades have designed one… some like Marcello Nizzoli have created more than one.
One of the most influential artists to work with Campari was Leonetto Cappiello, who created several iconic posters for the company in the early 1900s. Cappiello’s bold and innovative designs helped to establish Campari’s reputation as a leader in advertising and graphic design. Other notable artists who contributed to Campari’s poster campaigns include Marcello Dudovich, Adolf Hohenstein, Fortunato Depero, Ugo Mochi, Bruno Munari, Georges Léonnec, Adolphe Crespin, Bernhard Villemot, Enrico Sachetti, Giovanni Mingozzi, and Gino Boccasile among others. These artists have contributed to the development of Campari’s distinctive visual style and have helped to establish the company as a leading force in the world of advertising and graphic design.
Each of these artists brought their own unique style and approach to their Campari posters, creating a diverse range of designs that have become collector’s items in their own right. Many of these posters are now regarded as masterpieces of graphic design and have been featured in exhibitions and museum collections around the world.
Overall, the use of posters has been a vital component of Campari’s marketing strategy, helping to establish the company’s visual identity and make it one of the most recognisable brands in the world of beverages. The talented artists who have contributed to Campari’s poster campaigns have helped to shape the history of graphic design and advertising, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to inspire and captivate audiences today.
How much is an original 1926 Marcello Nizzoli Campari Cordial Liquor Poster worth?
The value of an original 1926 Marcello Nizzoli Campari Cordial Liquor Poster can vary greatly depending on factors such as its condition, rarity, and provenance. Other factors include its historical significance, rarity, and visual appeal. Nizzolis CampariCordial poster is an example of Italian poster art during the early 20th century, with a bold graphic design and use of vivid colours characteristic of the Art Deco and Futurist movements. In general, vintage Campari posters are highly collectable and can be quite valuable, with some selling for tens of thousands of dollars.
This particular poster’s striking composition with its unusual viewpoint, bold colours, and dramatic lighting adds to its visual appeal. Its iconic status and the popularity of Campari as a brand also make it a highly desirable piece of art. These factors combine to make a 1926 Marcello Nizzoli Campari Cordial Liquor Poster a highly sought-after item among collectors, commanding a high price at auction or in private sales. An original 1926 lithographic print was placed in an auction in 2021 and realised a hammer price of £7,240. Now that’s a price that deserves a celebratory toast!
If you’re looking to add a touch of Italian flair to your home bar or living room, look no further than our stunning high-quality reproductions. We understand that owning an original vintage poster is a dream for many Campari enthusiasts, they are often out of reach due to the high price tag. But with our affordable reproductions, you can enjoy all the elements that make this poster such a visual masterpiece.
And let’s face it, there’s nothing quite like a Campari cocktail to make you feel sophisticated and stylish. By displaying one of our reproductions in your home, you’ll not only add a touch of Italian chic, but also show your love for the iconic Campari brand. Plus, with our high-quality printing, your reproduction will look absolutely fantastic on your wall, whether you’re hosting a cocktail party or just unwinding with a Campari and soda. So why wait? Quench your thirst for that vintage look at a fraction of the cost. Hang one in your home bar or living room and you’ll be toasting your good taste for years to come.
