La peinture en lettres : histoire et renouveau

The sign painter was behind all those signs that are invisible at first glance, having become so seamlessly integrated into our everyday landscapes: elegant lettering on a shop sign, an advertisement adorning the gable of a building by a main road, a gold-leaf menu in a restaurant’s window, hand-stamped labels in department stores, a craftsman’s name emblazoned on the side of his vehicle….

This book explores the craft of sign painting—which had all but disappeared—in all its dimensions: historical, technical and social. At the heart of the revival of this craft in France, it tells the story of this everyday craft. Rare archive material, forgotten manuals and previously unpublished accounts from lettering artists of all ages – from the elders, whose words are invaluable, to the new generation, brimming with energy – enrich a text that also explores the techniques, tools and resources associated with a craft that blends manual skill with a passion for lettering.