Le paddock à Deauville 1964

This elegant 1964 poster reproducing Le Paddock à Deauville by Raoul Dufy was created for the Musée National d’Art Moderne in Paris and printed by the renowned atelier of Charles Sorlier. Combining the charm of Normandy’s racing culture with Dufy’s unmistakable painterly style, the work stands as a beautiful example of mid-century French exhibition poster design.

The composition depicts the famous paddock at Deauville, one of France’s most prestigious seaside resorts and horse-racing destinations. Riders, horses, trees, and elegant architecture are rendered through Dufy’s fluid lines and vibrant color harmonies, creating a scene filled with lightness, movement, and refined leisure. The lush greens, bright reds, and luminous blues evoke both the freshness of the Norman countryside and the sophistication of French high society.

Raoul Dufy was celebrated for his joyful and decorative vision of modern life. Throughout his career, he painted regattas, orchestras, racecourses, gardens, and Mediterranean landscapes with a distinctive visual language characterized by expressive brushwork and radiant color. His works captured the elegance and optimism associated with early twentieth-century French culture while maintaining a highly personal and instantly recognizable style.

This poster reproduces one of Dufy’s beloved Deauville scenes, subjects he returned to regularly due to his fascination with horse racing and fashionable social gatherings. Rather than focusing on strict realism, Dufy sought to convey atmosphere, rhythm, and pleasure. The trees and figures appear almost musical in their arrangement, while the loose perspective and animated brushstrokes create a sense of spontaneous vitality.

The poster was issued in connection with the Musée National d’Art Moderne in Paris and printed by Charles Sorlier, one of the great French master printers of the twentieth century. Sorlier is particularly admired for his collaborations reproducing works by major modern artists, notably Marc Chagall, and for the exceptional quality of his lithographic printing.

Decoratively, the work is remarkably versatile. Its panoramic format, vibrant palette, and idyllic subject make it equally appealing for interiors focused on modern French art, equestrian themes, travel imagery, or refined mid-century decoration.

Today, posters after Raoul Dufy remain highly sought after for their timeless elegance and their ability to capture the spirit of French art de vivre. Le Paddock à Deauville is a superb example of Dufy’s poetic vision of leisure, nature, and modern French sophistication.

Original Poster

Exhibition - Horse Riding - Calvados - France - Normandy

Paris National Museum of Modern Art - Ch. Sorlier

Printed by Mourlot in Paris

Good condition