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"Very nice Posters. The quality is amazing and we received it very quickly !"
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"A shop to visit absolutely. Huge selection of posters. We spent more than an hour there !"
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"Perfect to find gift. Price are very good. An they can frame and pack it on site"
About the Artist
Adolphus William Albert Plâté was an early twentieth-century commercial illustrator whose work captured the spirit of travel during a period when posters shaped public imagination of distant places. His 1940 travel posters reflect a mastery of atmosphere and clarity, embodying the persuasive calm typical of leisure advertising of the era. Plâté’s legacy endures in the world of collectible vintage posters, admired for their blend of graphic design and travel history.
This piece is a natural companion to other vintage advertising posters from the golden age of travel, offering a glimpse into the visual culture that once enticed travelers worldwide.
The Artwork
Created at a time when Colombo was a vibrant port city in colonial Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, this poster was designed to inspire wanderlust and present the city as a refined coastal escape. The artwork reflects the era’s fascination with exotic destinations, inviting viewers to imagine themselves pausing by the sea, enjoying the gentle pace of life along the Indian Ocean.
Serving as both an advertisement and a cultural artifact, the poster transforms a geographic location into an aspirational vision of leisure and tranquility, resonating with those who appreciate the nostalgia of classic travel imagery.
Style & Characteristics
The composition features a calm beachfront with silhouetted palm trees and a solitary bench facing the sea, all rendered in clean, simplified forms. The open horizon and broad tonal areas create a sense of spaciousness and serenity, while the bench in the foreground anchors the viewer’s gaze.
A subtle palette of grey, beige, and black gives the poster a softly aged appearance, ideal for those who favor understated vintage aesthetics. This quiet mood harmonizes well with other sea and ocean wall art, making it a versatile choice for coastal or modern interiors.
In Interior Design
This vintage Colombo travel poster is well suited for living rooms, hallways, offices, or guest bedrooms where a sense of calm escape is desired. Its gentle neutrals complement Scandinavian, Japandi, and classic interiors, pairing beautifully with natural materials like oak, rattan, and linen.
Combine it with warm whites, sandy beiges, or stone greys, and let black accents echo the linework for a cohesive look. For a curated travel corner, pair it with other beige toned art prints and vintage maps or photographs.