Royat – Vintage spa poster

This reproduction of an advertising poster, created by Leonetto Cappiello in 1923, promotes Royat water, touted for its health and youth-boosting benefits. The blue background, symbolizing purity and freshness, depicts a young nymph drinking Royat water from a bottle, embodying lightness, grace, and vitality. The contrast between the soft hues and the bright yellow text at the bottom of the poster—"Royat is health, it is youth... in an atmosphere of radium"—adds a striking and dynamic touch to the composition.

The slogan, which seems outdated today, reflects the belief at the time that radium, then considered a curative element, provided beneficial properties. Today, we know that radium is a radioactive substance, and its effects can be dangerous, even carcinogenic. This contrast between the perception of safety at the time and current knowledge about radium adds a fascinating historical dimension to this poster.

This artwork illustrates advertising art from the 1920s, where scientific advances and popular beliefs were often highlighted to promote products. Ideal for history and vintage design enthusiasts, this reproduction offers a reflection on the evolution of scientific knowledge and a fascinating glimpse into the past.