For its forthcoming 299th exhibition, this June ginza graphic gallery (ggg) will feature the works of Raymond Savignac (1907-2002), a graphic designer who occupies an illustrious and prominent position in the history of poster art.

Savignac debuted as a poster artist in 1949 with his now famous poster promoting the Monsavon brand of milk-based soap. He was already 41 years of age at the time, and it was only after two stints of military service and seemingly endless job changes, not a few due to dismissal, that he finally discovered the artistic style, with its elements of surprise and emotion, that he had long believed he alone could be capable of.

What captured the hearts of Parisians in those difficult post-war years were the humor and esprit of Savignac’s posters. Comforting, robust and unpretentious, his works continue to be loved, admired and appreciated by people around the world even today, more than a half-century later.

The upcoming exhibition at ggg will place the spotlight on approximately 60 of Savignac’s works from his early to mid-career days. These include not only his iconic Monsavon soap poster of 1949, with its cow with the piercing but innocent eyes, but also the original drawing for his “Ham” poster of 1950 with its pig gleefully being sliced into ham. Visitors are guaranteed to be fascinated and enthralled by the genius of Savignac’s creations.