“Étoile du Nord,” by preeminent poster artist Cassandre was one of the first ads he designed that catapulted him to fame. Born Adolphe Mouron Cassandre (1901 – 1968), he revolutionized poster design with a simple, streamlined style that possessed a strong, airbrushed appearance and treated lettering like artwork. Intended to be seen from fast-moving vehicles, this poster draws the eye quickly from the central “V” at the bottom to the star at the zenith, and then through the surrounding words. Although “Étoile du Nord” utilizes few colors, the contrast between the dark charcoal background and the silvery white tracks creates a striking effect that is hard to ignore.

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