Date: 2002
Size: interior- 5 x 7 inches; with matting- 10.25 x 12 inches
Artist: Vittorio Fiorucci
About the artist: Vittorio (Vittorio Fiorucci, 1932-2008) was an influential Canadian graphic designer and poster artist, best known for his vibrant, playful, and often satirical style. Born in Zara, Italy (now Zadar, Croatia), he immigrated to Montreal in 1951, where he became a central figure in the city’s flourishing art and design scene. Over his prolific career, Vittorio produced hundreds of posters for cultural institutions, film festivals, and theater companies, including the Montreal International Jazz Festival and Centaur Theatre.
His work is instantly recognizable for its bold color palettes, expressive linework, and witty visual storytelling. Beyond posters, Vittorio also created illustrations, comic art, and the iconic green Just for Laughs festival mascot. A member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts, his designs captured the exuberant, cosmopolitan spirit of postwar Montreal and continue to influence Canadian visual culture today.
About this piece: This poster was created in 1990 for the opera Faust by Gounod, presented at l'Opéra de Montréal. Gounod’s Faust tells the story of an aging scholar who, despairing at his wasted life, makes a pact with the devil Méphistophélès to regain youth and pleasure. Transformed into a young man, Faust seduces the innocent Marguerite, triggering a chain of tragedy that ends in her downfall and eventual redemption. The opera contrasts earthly temptation with divine grace, set against some of Gounod’s most lyrical music.
Matted and ready to frame!