Biography of Lucien Boucher
Born in Chartres on December 26, 1889, under the name Ernest Lucien Boucher, he studied at the Sèvres School of Ceramics. His career began with caricatures for humor magazines such as Laughter and Fantasio. Mobilized in 1914, he was taken prisoner and began drawing during his captivity. From the 1920s onward, he focused his work on creating advertising and film posters, as well as illustrating literary works. He died in Paris on February 6, 1971.
The master of Air France world maps
Lucien Boucher is inextricably linked to the visual history of Air France, for which he worked from 1934 to 1962. Nicknamed "Monsieur Planisphère" (Mr. World Map), he designed a series of illustrated world maps showcasing the company's air network. His creations are distinguished by the integration of monuments, iconic animals, and historical figures. In 1956, he illustrated the slogan "the largest network in the world," after having served the company "in every sky" since 1935.
A style somewhere between surrealism and decorative art
Boucher's cartographic work is characterized by a fusion of geography and surrealism. He frequently incorporates symbolic elements, such as zodiac signs and mythological figures, by superimposing celestial maps onto his terrestrial world maps. His posters for the Middle East and Far East, particularly those from 1937 and 1946, are renowned for their vibrant colors and sumptuous designs. In addition to his world maps, he created thematic maps such as those of Morocco (circa 1948) and Corsica (1949).
Diversity of works and themes
Beyond his work for Air France, Lucien Boucher illustrated numerous books, including Clochemerle by Gabriel Chevallier in 1936 and Captain Fracasse by Théophile Gautier in 1944. He also put his talent at the service of great causes and institutions, notably creating a world map for the centenary of the French Red Cross in 1962. His work as an engraver is expressed through lithographs and etchings, demonstrating a varied technical mastery in the service of advertising and publishing.
