Photo 1/1 du lot
Maître Nicolas CONSTANTY

407 - Yvan Chermayeff (1932-2017) - Treasures of Ancient Nigeria. …
See original version (French)

Estimate €20 - €30
Sale commission
Description
Yvan Chermayeff (1932-2017) - Treasures of Ancient Nigeria. 1981. 117x76cm. Original lithographed poster. Not canvas-backed. Condition A+, perfect state of conservation. The Treasures of Ancient Nigeria poster was produced in 1981 by designers Ivan Chermayeff and Tom Geismar, founders of the Chermayeff & Geismar studio. It was created to promote a major exhibition of ancient Nigerian art at the National Gallery of Art in Washington. The poster features major works from ancient African civilisations, including bronze sculptures and heads from the cultures of Ife and the Kingdom of Benin. True to the graphic style of Chermayeff and Geismar, the composition is simple and striking: the central image of the ancient object is set against a sober background, accompanied by clear, elegant typography. This visual approach underlines the beauty and historical importance of these works of art, while creating a strong, instantly recognisable visual message. The poster illustrates the studio's ability to combine modern design with a focus on artistic heritage. The designer of our poster, Yvan Chermayeff, was born in London in 1932 and emigrated with his family to the United States in the 1940s. His creativity was strongly influenced by his father, the architect Serge Chermayeff, who came from Chechnya. In 1957, after studying at Harvard University, the Chicago Institute of Design and Yale University, he co-founded the New York-based design-graphics firm Chermayeff Geismar with Tom Geismar. President of the AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts) from 1963 to 1966. Director of MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) from 1965 to 1986. Member of the Board of IDCA (International Design Conference in Aspen) from 1968 to 1999. Member of the Board of Directors of the Municipal Art Society of New York from 1972 to 1976. Member of the AGI (Alliance Graphique Internationale) since 1978. Member of the Board of Trustees of the Smithsonian Institution from 1988 to 1996. Inducted into the ADC New York (Art Directors Club) Hall of Fame in 1982. Trustee of the Archives of America Art from 1987 to 1990. Royal Designer for Industry since 1992. He has received numerous awards, including the Industrial Arts Medal from the AIA (American Institute of Architects) in 1967, the Philade. Arts Premiers.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
About the sale Collection of an ink merchant, sale of posters n°17 and miscellaneous.
Auction location
Auction time 06/12/2026 at 1:30 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
You may also like