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.













Scena Illustrata Arts Literature Theatre Music by Giuseppe Anichini 1900
BULLIER BY MEUNIER VINTAGE FRENCH POSTER MAITRE DE L'AFFICHE 1895/99
L'Emprunt des Dernieres Cartouches by Tel 1917c
Maxfield Parrish – The Century (Les Maîtres de l’Affiche, 1895–1899) Original Lithograph – Chaix, Paris
MOTORCYCLES COMIOT BY STEINLEN VINTAGE FRENCH POSTER MAITRE DE L'AFFICHE 1895/99
Henri de Toulouse Lautrec Au Cirque Images of The Circus 1952
Paquebot Normandie Compagnie Generale 1938 original
Dior Eau Sauvage Perfume poster by Rene Gruau on linen 1980 original
Cinderella by Dudley Hardy for Les Affiches Etrangeres 1894
Ravenna by Giovanni Guerrini 1930 original Italian TRAVEL POSTER enit railways
1933 Le Mans Englebert Commemorative Poster Tazio Nuvolari and Raymond Sommer
La petite poucette by Montel 1894 for Les Affiches Illustrees
Sestrieres Ski poster 1950/78 by Gino Boccasile original
Lanoflex Italian 1950 portable knitting sewing machine
Thermogene Leonetto Cappiello 1939 original French poster
Air France Afrique du Nord by Bernard Villemot 1952
Simplicissimus 1913 by Wennerberg Train scene on linen original
Dior Perfume Eau Sauvage poster by Rene Gruau on linen 1980 original
Corso Italia 1913 by Marcello Dudovich chromolithographic plate
Lido Grand Jeu poster by Rene Gruau
Royat 1894 for Les Affiches Illustrees
Corso Italia 1913 by Marcello Dudovich chromolithographic plate
Rassenfosse for Les Affiches Etrangeres 1894
F. A. Gorguet – Andante Nocturne, 1897 | Original Lithograph – L’Estampe Moderne
Figaro Illustre Chez le bonhomme Noel by Firmin Bouisset 1898 on linen
Simplicissimus 1913 Marcello Dudovich St Moritz on linen original
FOR FASHIONABLE WINTER DAS MODERNE PLAKAT 1897
Lessive Figaro by Leo Gausson 1894 for Les Affiches Illustrees
Corso Italia 1913 by Marcello Dudovich chromolithographic plate
Die Alte Stadt by Fischer for Les Affiches Etrangeres 1894
ABA Swedish Air Lines to the Orient by Olle Svenson RARE early Israel
Emprunt de La Paix by Chavannaz
Geneve by Joseph de la Neziere 1926 Lake Leman Geneva poster
Simplicissimus 1913 Marcello Dudovich Die Novize on linen original
Shigeo Fukoda Serigraphie 1991 on heavy paper original french poster
Theodora by Orazi 1894 for Les Affiches Illustrees
Paris Festival de Jazz 1989 by Robert Combas original serigraphie