Cycles E.V.M. by Francisco Tamagno

Cycles EVM
Pièces Détachées & Accessoires pour Cycles & Automobiles
Spare Parts & Accessories for Bicycles & Automobiles

The EVM poster is a striking artifact of early 20th-century French commercial art, promoting spare parts and accessories for bicycles and automobiles. Though little is documented about the company “EVM” itself, the poster reflects the dynamic spirit of the Belle Époque, when cycling was at its peak and industrial craftsmanship was a source of national pride. Rendered in rich tones and framed by mechanical motifs, the poster highlights a meticulous technician inspecting a bicycle frame—an image meant to inspire confidence in the precision and quality of EVM’s components. Its swirling chains, gleaming tools, and bold red branding create a vivid, kinetic composition typical of turn-of-the-century advertising design.

The artwork is attributed to Francisco Tamagno (1851–1933), a prolific Italian poster artist known for his commercial lithographs during the golden age of the illustrated poster. Tamagno worked extensively in Paris and contributed to promotional campaigns for various industries, including transport, food, and fashion. His style often blended realism with decorative Art Nouveau elements, making everyday products visually compelling and culturally aspirational. This poster for EVM is a fine example of his ability to marry technical subject matter with artistic flair, transforming a utilitarian workshop scene into a powerful visual marketing piece.

This poster has been archivally and professionally linen-backed. Virtually all original vintage posters of this era were viewed as temporary advertising and were printed on very thin paper. While expensive, linen backing is a conservation method used to mount, stabilize, preserve, and protect vintage posters so they can be displayed or framed without compromising value.