ORCHESTRE

12 Years of Collaboration with a Legend of French Illustration

It was no coincidence that, more than 12 years ago, Image Republic knocked on the door of Jean-Jacques Sempé to give birth to a collection of drawings that are both original and timeless. This French cartoonist, who became an essential figure in the art world, embodies for us the very essence of illustration: a subtle blend of humor, tenderness, critical insight, and delicacy.

His work transcends eras. It speaks to everyone, in every corner of Paris and far beyond, capturing scenes of everyday life with remarkable finesse. It is this universal vision that makes each poster and each print far more than a simple product: a fragment of our collective memory.

Because he was the first French artist to collaborate with us, a unique bond united us with him. And that bond lives on today through an exclusive selection of his most beautiful drawings. These works are available in various formats on our website, in our space located at 4 rue du Cherche-Midi, and through our retailers.

From small gift box sets to large gallery formats printed on 250 g Velin d’Arches paper, each poster is ready to be framed and designed to enhance your interiors. The visuals — Le Quatuor, La Baignade, Le Bus, La Tempête tropicale, Pont Neuf, and Paris, Quartier de Nuit — are all invitations to dream, to observe, and to feel.

Treat yourself (or someone else) to an exceptional print: a singular work of art, a piece of creativity to hang on your wall. Easy online ordering, secure payment, international shipping, fast delivery — everything is in place to ensure your product reaches you under the best possible conditions.

But who was Sempé?

Expelled from school for indiscipline, he entered working life at an early age: office boy, handyman, instructor… Then, at 18, he tried his luck with editorial offices. He sold his first drawing to the newspaper Sud-Ouest. His meeting with Goscinny marked a turning point: the press cartoonist was born.

Since Rien n’est simple in 1962, he published around forty books — masterpieces filled with humor, both tender and sharp. He became one of the few French artists to illustrate the covers of The New Yorker, while also delighting readers of Paris Match.

Born on August 17, 1932, in Bordeaux, Sempé passed away on August 11, 2022. But his art lives on — continuing to circulate, to be shared, sometimes even like a postcard sent to make someone smile, or think.

Photo © Jean-Paul Guilloteau / EXPRESS-REA