Andre Francois (1989) – Human Rights – Original Droits de l’Homme Bicentennial Poster
$ 395Images Internationales pour les Droits de l’Homme et du Citoyen – André François (1989)
This original 1989 poster by André François (1915–2005) was created for Images Internationales pour les Droits de l’Homme et du Citoyen, a major international series commissioned by Artis 89 in Paris to commemorate the bicentennial of the 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.
François’s design—one of the most visually striking in the set—depicts an eye peering from a hat box labeled “Au Bon Marché 1789”, with the word “Vigilance” inscribed below. The image fuses surreal wit with political critique, implying that human rights, once hard-won, must not be taken lightly or sold cheaply. The reference to Au Bon Marché—the famous Parisian department store—adds irony, suggesting that liberty itself can be commodified when vigilance fades.
Renowned for his imaginative, often satirical visual language, François brings both humor and gravity to this composition, linking the ideals of the French Revolution with a warning against complacency.
Printed by Artis 89, Paris, the poster was part of a historic collaboration of 66 international artists invited to create original images celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights.
Artist: André François
Title: Images Internationales pour les Droits de l’Homme et du Citoyen (Vigilance)
Date: 1989
Printer / Publisher: Artis 89, Paris
Series: International Images for Human and Citizen’s Rights – Bicentennial of the Declaration
Print Type: Offset Lithograph
Dimensions: 33 × 24 in (84 × 60 cm)
Condition: Excellent “A” – Original issue
Country: France
Category: Human Rights / Commemorative Poster / 20th-Century Graphic Art
Comments:
Issued in 1989 as part of the Images Internationales pour les Droits de l’Homme et du Citoyen series celebrating the bicentennial of the 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man. François’s powerful design, Vigilance, shows an eye emerging from a hat box labeled Au Bon Marché 1789, a metaphorical reminder of the cost of freedom and the need to protect human rights from neglect or exploitation. Original issue, not a reproduction.













Paglieri Perfumed Talc poster 1950 by Gino Boccasile
Scaramouche by Cheret 1894 for Les Affiches Illustrees
Moulin rouge Femmes Femmes Femmes poster by Rene Gruau on linen original
On Ne Passe Pas by Neumon 1918
Corso Italia 1913 by Marcello Dudovich chromolithographic plate
Razzia Louis Vuitton Classic 2003 original hand signed original lg Jaguar XKSS
Razzia Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice 2009
Je Vous Ecris Fiest l'Estampe by Jean Michel Folon original serigraphie 1986
Erté — Folies Bergère: La Nouvelle Revue de Hélène Martini (Éditions Martinet), c.1970s, Serigraph, 39×59 in
Louise Balthy by Cheret 1894 for Les Affiches Illustrees
le Golf de Font-Romeu by Leonetto Cappiello RARE !!
Simplicissimus by Schnackenberg 1913 Opera singers on linen original
Perrier Hokusai wave by Bernard Villemot original 1980 vintage poster on linen
Monaco Grand Prix 1965 by Michael Turner
Spoletto Umbria Italian Railways Enit 1927 Cesare Simonetti
Scena Illustrata Arts Literature Theatre Music by Giuseppe Anichini 1900
Henri de Toulouse Lautrec Au Cirque Images of The Circus 1952
Theatre Simon Girard by PAL 1894 for Les Affiches Illustrees
Simplicissimus 1913 by Kainer Ein Ratfel on linen original
Razzia Paris Poster Auctions NYC 1992
Fete des fleurs by Cheret 1894 for Les Affiches Illustrees