Original Bernard Villemot Bally Shoes Poster | Tango Feet and Shoes | 1979 Large Format Lithograph | French Vintage Fashion Art | Linen-Backed

Description

This is an exceptional original large-format Bernard Villemot Bally Shoes poster, created in 1979 during the artist’s legendary 22-year collaboration with the iconic Swiss footwear brand. Known in some circles as “Tango,” this striking composition celebrates the elegance and sensuality of Bally shoes through Villemot’s signature aesthetic: simple yet powerful lines, bold color contrasts, and an unmistakable sophistication that defined mid-twentieth-century fashion advertising. The image captures legs and feet in motion, suggesting both the movement and confidence that Bally shoes inspire. This monumental work exemplifies Villemot’s mastery of the lithographic medium and his ability to transform commercial imagery into pure artistic expression.

Bernard Villemot stands among the greatest poster artists of the twentieth century, and his collaboration with Bally represents one of the most celebrated partnerships in fashion advertising history. Beginning in 1967, Villemot created numerous campaigns for Bally that became iconic symbols of European style and design innovation. His work for the brand culminated in “Legs,” his final commission before his death in 1989—a piece so influential and memorable that it earned him posthumous recognition with the prestigious Martini Prize Gold Medal in 1969. This 1979 poster sits at the apex of that creative partnership, representing the pinnacle of Villemot’s artistic vision applied to luxury footwear marketing.

What makes this particular piece remarkable is its monumental scale and commanding presence. At 46.5″ × 63″, this is a substantial statement piece that demands attention and transforms any space into a gallery of modernist design. The composition demonstrates Villemot’s genius for reduction—the absolute essentials of form and color used to create maximum visual impact. The linen backing ensures archival preservation, protecting this masterwork for future generations of design enthusiasts and collectors. This is an authenticated piece representing a critical moment in fashion illustration history and the collaborative legacy between one of Europe’s greatest poster artists and one of the world’s most prestigious shoe manufacturers.

Condition & Details:

• Original, not a reproduction
• Size: 46.5″ × 63″ (large format)
• Medium: Lithograph
• Artist: Bernard Villemot (1911–1989)
• Date: 1979
• Backing: Linen-backed (archival preservation)
• Condition: A- (excellent)
• Authenticity: Includes Certificate of Authenticity
• Subject: Bally Shoes / Tango (Feet and Shoes)
• Era: Peak of Villemot’s Bally collaboration (1967–1989)

This is an authenticated Villemot fashion poster of museum quality. We are IVPDA certified specialists with expertise in twentieth-century European poster art, fashion advertising, and modernist design. Every vintage poster in our collection undergoes rigorous authentication and receives a detailed condition assessment with a Certificate of Authenticity. This monumental Villemot represents significant investment value for serious collectors of fashion history, modernist design, and advertising art. Order with complete confidence online 24/7—worldwide shipping available for large-format pieces. Your satisfaction is guaranteed.

Own a masterpiece of modernist elegance—where fashion becomes fine art.