Cycles Aluminium, G. Rupalley - after Maurice Deville

Christophe Adrien (Count) Regley de Koenigsegg

An advertisement for Cycles Aluminum by G. Rupalley, the first company to manufacture aluminum bicycle frames in France. Demonstrating the lightweight nature of the frame, a petite woman picks up the bicycle with one hand; the salesman beams while a lady in the background throws up her hands in delight. The women wear calf-length split skirts meant for cycling at a time when such outfits were considered risqué.

This miniature watercolor is a copy of the poster by painter and printmaker Maurice Deville (French: 1860 - ca. 1939). THe Belle Epoque-era illustrator also created posters for the Humber bicycle manufacturer. Koenigsegg scales the 49" x 38" down to a fraction of the size while retaining the details, including facial expressions and the miniscule details of their clothes.