Balsam Vintage Advertising Poster by Gérard Portielje, 1908
Opera d’arte autentica
L’opera d’arte che stampiamo è fedelmente restaurata dalla fonte originale - solitamente un museo, una biblioteca o una collezione privata. Non sostituiamo mai, ridisegniamo o inventiamo l’opera dell’artista usando l’IA generativa.
Restaurata nel nostro laboratorio di Londra dall’opera originale del 1908 e stampata in qualità museale. Descrizione completa
L’offerta del Collezionista
Scegli due opere idonee e ricevi il 20% di sconto su entrambe. Scegline tre e quella al prezzo più basso è in omaggio, con un risparmio massimo del 33%.
Abbina liberamente mappe standard idonee e stampe d’arte fine art. Non è richiesto alcun codice; l’offerta viene applicata automaticamente al checkout.
Sono incluse le configurazioni standard su ordinazione. Sono esclusi formati su misura, design personalizzati e lavori su commissione.
Hai bisogno di consegne a indirizzi diversi? Contattaci prima di effettuare l’ordine.L’offerta del Collezionista
Scegli due opere idonee e ricevi il 20% di sconto su entrambe. Scegline tre e quella al prezzo più basso è in omaggio, con un risparmio massimo del 33%.
Abbina liberamente mappe standard idonee e stampe d’arte fine art. Non è richiesto alcun codice; l’offerta viene applicata automaticamente al checkout.
Sono incluse le configurazioni standard su ordinazione. Sono esclusi formati su misura, design personalizzati e lavori su commissione.
Hai bisogno di consegne a indirizzi diversi? Contattaci prima di effettuare l’ordine.
Restaurato a Londra • Stampato e incorniciato nell’UE
Opera d’arte autentica
L’opera d’arte che stampiamo è fedelmente restaurata dalla fonte originale - solitamente un museo, una biblioteca o una collezione privata. Non sostituiamo mai, ridisegniamo o inventiamo l’opera dell’artista usando l’IA generativa.
Restaurata dall’opera originale del 1908 e stampata in qualità museale. Descrizione completa
Scegli il formato
Scegli la finitura
(Maggiori informazioni)
Gift message & custom finish
If you want to add a gift message, or a finish (jigsaw, aluminium board, etc.) that is not available here, please request it in the "order note" when you check out.
Every order is custom made, so if you need the size adjusted slightly, or printed on an unusual material, just let us know. We've done thousands of custom orders over the years, so there's (almost) nothing we can't manage.
You can also contact us before you order, if you prefer!
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Gérard Portielje’s Balsam, published in 1908, places an irrepressibly cheerful young boy at the centre of a richly coloured beverage advertisement. He...
Continua a leggereGérard Portielje’s Balsam, published in 1908, places an irrepressibly cheerful young boy at the centre of a richly coloured beverage advertisement. He holds up a large, decoratively labelled bottle with evident pride, his rosy face, feathered hat and bright blue clothing standing out against a softly graded green background. Above him, the name “Balsam” curves across the poster in bold stylised lettering, establishing the product before the eye descends to the figure and the bottle in his hand.
Portielje was a Belgian artist born in 1856, best known for carefully observed scenes of everyday life. Here, the warmth and human interest associated with European genre painting are redirected towards commercial illustration. Rather than relying on product lettering alone, the poster constructs a miniature character study: the boy’s expression and animated presentation give the advertisement its persuasive energy. This union of figurative painting and graphic communication was particularly suited to the visual culture of the early twentieth century, when advertisers frequently employed narrative, humour and recognisable social types to make branded goods memorable.
A closer look
The composition is compact and strongly focused. The boy occupies almost the full height of the vertical format, while the bottle rises just to the left of centre, close enough to his face for expression and product to register together. His smile is framed by warm light and soft shadow; subtle modelling around the cheeks, chin and folds of the clothing lends the figure a rounded, tactile presence. The feather tucked into his hat introduces a lively flourish above the denser arrangement of face, hand and bottle.
Colour performs much of the poster’s visual work. Burnished browns and orange-red accents around the bottles and basket are set against the cooler blue of the boy’s costume. The green ground shifts gently from light to dark rather than describing a specific setting, keeping attention on the central presentation while adding depth. At the lower right, the woven basket contributes a contrasting texture and hints at the practical business of carrying or selling the drink. A smaller brown bottle at the lower left echoes the principal bottle, reinforcing the product without disturbing the clarity of the main gesture.
Several quieter details reward closer attention. The principal label is ornamented with fine decorative patterning, while carefully shaded fabric folds give weight to the boy’s sleeve. The basket’s tight weave, the sheen of the glass and the soft feathers of the hat create a succession of contrasting surfaces. Around the entire arrangement, a narrow cream border gives the lively central scene a disciplined graphic frame.
Context and significance
Balsam demonstrates how readily Portielje’s figurative manner could serve the demands of advertising. The poster retains the polished finish, expressive faces and anecdotal detail of late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century genre art, yet simplifies the visual hierarchy for immediate recognition: name, character and bottle are legible in an instant. The child is not incidental decoration but the central vehicle of the message, turning a commercial display into a moment of theatrical presentation.
The result belongs equally to the histories of popular illustration and beverage advertising. Its appeal lies in the balance between painterly observation and direct graphic structure: warm and cool colour, human expression and prominent branding all work together without crowding the composition. More than a surviving period advertisement, it offers a vivid example of how academic pictorial traditions entered everyday commercial culture at the beginning of the twentieth century.
Choosing the right size and finish
Artwork can feel intimate at smaller sizes and dramatically more architectural at larger ones. Use the room preview, model image and size guide to see how the proportions and scale will work in your space.
If you need an exact size, specialist framing or help planning a larger display, ask our workshop for advice.
The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) version of this art print.
Where personalisation is available, you can add a short title or dedication, or one considered visual detail. See examples of personalised artwork.
Choose Original to retain the colour and character of the source artwork, or Aged for a warmer, more antique appearance. See examples of our Aged artwork.
Every piece is produced to archival standards using fade-resistant pigment inks on acid-free matte art paper. Choose an art print, framed art print or framed canvas using the finish options above.
Framed art prints use crystal-clear optical acrylic for excellent clarity, lower weight and safer delivery than glass. Each piece arrives professionally framed and ready to hang.
Selected artworks can be produced at statement sizes up to 3 metres (10ft). Custom sizing and specialist framing are also available. If the exact option you need is not listed, contact our workshop.
This artwork is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The work is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present an art print without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas art and explore the differences between my different finishes.
Gérard Portielje’s Balsam, published in 1908, places an irrepressibly cheerful young boy at the centre of a richly coloured beverage advertisement. He holds up a large, decoratively labelled bottle with evident pride, his rosy face, feathered hat and bright blue clothing standing out against a softly graded green background. Above him, the name “Balsam” curves across the poster in bold stylised lettering, establishing the product before the eye descends to the figure and the bottle in his hand.
Portielje was a Belgian artist born in 1856, best known for carefully observed scenes of everyday life. Here, the warmth and human interest associated with European genre painting are redirected towards commercial illustration. Rather than relying on product lettering alone, the poster constructs a miniature character study: the boy’s expression and animated presentation give the advertisement its persuasive energy. This union of figurative painting and graphic communication was particularly suited to the visual culture of the early twentieth century, when advertisers frequently employed narrative, humour and recognisable social types to make branded goods memorable.
A closer look
The composition is compact and strongly focused. The boy occupies almost the full height of the vertical format, while the bottle rises just to the left of centre, close enough to his face for expression and product to register together. His smile is framed by warm light and soft shadow; subtle modelling around the cheeks, chin and folds of the clothing lends the figure a rounded, tactile presence. The feather tucked into his hat introduces a lively flourish above the denser arrangement of face, hand and bottle.
Colour performs much of the poster’s visual work. Burnished browns and orange-red accents around the bottles and basket are set against the cooler blue of the boy’s costume. The green ground shifts gently from light to dark rather than describing a specific setting, keeping attention on the central presentation while adding depth. At the lower right, the woven basket contributes a contrasting texture and hints at the practical business of carrying or selling the drink. A smaller brown bottle at the lower left echoes the principal bottle, reinforcing the product without disturbing the clarity of the main gesture.
Several quieter details reward closer attention. The principal label is ornamented with fine decorative patterning, while carefully shaded fabric folds give weight to the boy’s sleeve. The basket’s tight weave, the sheen of the glass and the soft feathers of the hat create a succession of contrasting surfaces. Around the entire arrangement, a narrow cream border gives the lively central scene a disciplined graphic frame.
Context and significance
Balsam demonstrates how readily Portielje’s figurative manner could serve the demands of advertising. The poster retains the polished finish, expressive faces and anecdotal detail of late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century genre art, yet simplifies the visual hierarchy for immediate recognition: name, character and bottle are legible in an instant. The child is not incidental decoration but the central vehicle of the message, turning a commercial display into a moment of theatrical presentation.
The result belongs equally to the histories of popular illustration and beverage advertising. Its appeal lies in the balance between painterly observation and direct graphic structure: warm and cool colour, human expression and prominent branding all work together without crowding the composition. More than a surviving period advertisement, it offers a vivid example of how academic pictorial traditions entered everyday commercial culture at the beginning of the twentieth century.
Choosing the right size and finish
Artwork can feel intimate at smaller sizes and dramatically more architectural at larger ones. Use the room preview, model image and size guide to see how the proportions and scale will work in your space.
If you need an exact size, specialist framing or help planning a larger display, ask our workshop for advice.
The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) version of this art print.
Where personalisation is available, you can add a short title or dedication, or one considered visual detail. See examples of personalised artwork.
Choose Original to retain the colour and character of the source artwork, or Aged for a warmer, more antique appearance. See examples of our Aged artwork.
Every piece is produced to archival standards using fade-resistant pigment inks on acid-free matte art paper. Choose an art print, framed art print or framed canvas using the finish options above.
Framed art prints use crystal-clear optical acrylic for excellent clarity, lower weight and safer delivery than glass. Each piece arrives professionally framed and ready to hang.
Selected artworks can be produced at statement sizes up to 3 metres (10ft). Custom sizing and specialist framing are also available. If the exact option you need is not listed, contact our workshop.
This artwork is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The work is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present an art print without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas art and explore the differences between my different finishes.
Molte delle nostre mappe e stampe d’arte vengono scelte come regali premurosi per case, uffici, studi e luoghi significativi.
Scegli un’opzione incorniciata per il regalo più semplice, pronto da appendere, oppure scegli una stampa non incorniciata se il destinatario preferisce selezionare la propria cornice.
Realizziamo gli ordini localmente in 23 paesi in tutto il mondo, così i regali possono spesso essere prodotti vicino al destinatario. Questo li aiuta ad arrivare più rapidamente, a viaggiare in maggiore sicurezza e a evitare sorprese legate a dazi doganali o di importazione.
- Possiamo consegnare direttamente al destinatario
- I pezzi incorniciati arrivano pronti da appendere
- Le stampe non incorniciate sono accuratamente imballate in un robusto tubo protettivo
- Quasi ogni ordine viene realizzato localmente, per regali più rapidi e sicuri
- Il reso entro 90 giorni dà al destinatario il tempo di decidere
Se non sei sicuro di cosa scegliere, ti invitiamo a contattarci. Possiamo aiutarti a scegliere la mappa, il formato, la finitura o l’opzione di consegna più adatti.
Most orders are made locally and delivered in around 2–3 working days, depending on the product, size and destination.
We print and frame maps and artwork in 24 countries around the world, so your order is usually made close to you or your recipient. That means faster delivery, less time in transit, and no customs or import duty surprises.
Personalised and customised pieces usually take an extra 1–2 working days, because we prepare your design and send it to you for approval before printing.
Very large framed orders can take a little longer, as they need extra care in production and delivery.
Every order is carefully packaged: unframed prints are sent in a strong protective tube, while framed pieces are securely packed with protective materials around the frame.
If you need your order by a particular date, please contact us before ordering. We’ll check the best production route and delivery option for your location.
Express delivery is available at checkout for most countries. Next-day delivery is available in the UK, US, Singapore and the UAE.
Your order is covered by our 90-day returns policy and 10-year guarantee.
Our standard frame is a gallery-style black ash hardwood frame, with a simple, modern look. It is approximately 20mm (0.8in) wide. You can also view some lovely customer photos of framed maps and art.
We use super-clear acrylic glazing, also known as Perspex or Acrylite, instead of traditional glass. It is lighter, safer, and has lower reflectivity, giving the artwork a clearer, cleaner appearance.
Six standard frame colours are available at no extra cost: black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white, and antique gold. Custom framing and mounting/matting is also available for customers looking for something more specific.
Most maps, art prints, and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced wooden box frame, and then float the piece within a wooden outer frame. The finished result is beautifully presented, with no glazing between you and the artwork.
All frames are supplied ready to hang, with either string or brackets fitted to the back. Very large frames will include heavy-duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.
We can also supply old maps and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag, and other materials.
If you would prefer to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read our size guide before ordering.
Lavoriamo con interior designer, realtà del settore hospitality, professionisti del settore immobiliare, uffici e acquirenti aziendali per singoli pezzi e progetti coordinati di più ampia portata.
Quest'opera può essere adattata a una specifica parete, stanza o progetto e il nostro laboratorio può aiutare a coordinare dimensioni, materiale e incorniciatura prima della produzione.
- Dimensioni precise, extra-large e su misura
- Incorniciatura personalizzata, montaggio e materiali alternativi
- Pezzi coordinati per più stanze o sedi
- Personalizzazione dell'opera, per regolarne il colore e lo stile
- Consulenza su arte e incorniciatura da parte del nostro laboratorio
- Produzione locale per progetti in tutto il mondo
Ogni stampa artistica restaurata inizia dall’opera originale dell’artista—mai da una sostituzione generata dall’IA.
Il nostro studio di Londra lavora a partire da materiali di origine accuratamente selezionati da musei, biblioteche, archivi e collezioni private. Restauriamo i danni dovuti all’età, i colori sbiaditi e le imperfezioni di riproduzione, preservando al contempo la composizione, il tratto del pennello, il segno, la texture e il carattere d’epoca dell’artista.
Non utilizziamo l’IA generativa per ridisegnare, reinterpretare o inventare l’opera. Il restauro digitale viene impiegato solo per recuperare e riprodurre l’opera originale nel modo più fedele possibile.
Una volta restaurata, l’opera master viene preparata per il formato e la finitura da te scelti. Il tuo pezzo viene quindi stampato e, se selezionato, incorniciato vicino alla destinazione di consegna.
Le nostre stampe artistiche giclée utilizzano carta opaca archivistica senza acidi da 200 g/m² e inchiostri pigmentati resistenti allo sbiadimento, per una finitura ricca e di qualità museale. Le stampe artistiche incorniciate utilizzano acrilico ottico cristallino e arrivano pronte da appendere.
Sono disponibili anche tele incorniciate ed edizioni speciali su cotone-rag. Scopri di più sui nostri materiali e finiture.
Restauriamo e produciamo mappe e stampe d’arte dal 1984, e garantiamo personalmente ogni pezzo.
Ogni ordine è coperto dalla nostra garanzia di 10 anni e dalla garanzia di consegna senza danni. Se il vostro pezzo arriva danneggiato, lo sostituiremo o lo rifaremo gratuitamente. Se qualsiasi altro aspetto non fosse conforme, contattate il nostro team di laboratorio e provvederemo tempestivamente a risolvere il problema.
Per tutti i dettagli, consultate la nostra politica su resi e rimborsi.
