CGT Havre-New York: paquebot France

The Golden Age of the Great Ocean Crossings

At the turn of the 20th century, European maritime companies engaged in a spectacular rivalry to dominate the routes linking Europe and America. This era, often referred to as the Golden Age of transatlantic ocean liners, saw the emergence of ships that were ever larger, faster, and more luxurious.

Within this context, the Compagnie Générale Transatlantique launched the liner SS France (1912 ocean liner) in 1912, designed to rival the great British liners of the Cunard Line and the White Star Line.

This monumental vessel symbolized the prestige of the French merchant navy and embodied the elegance of transatlantic travel on the eve of the First World War. The crossings between Le Havre and New York carried an international clientele that included businessmen, artists, wealthy travelers, as well as thousands of emigrants bound for the New World.

Artistic Perspective: The Spectacular Aesthetic of Maritime Posters

The poster was created by the American illustrator Richard Rummell, an artist renowned for his depictions of ocean liners and monumental architecture.

His style is characterized by:

• a monumental composition emphasizing the power of the ship

• an extremely detailed rendering of the liner

• a careful play of scale, with tugboats and small vessels highlighting the ship’s immense size

• a dynamic maritime atmosphere, with lively waters and dramatic plumes of smoke

The liner is depicted in all its majesty, with its sleek black hull and four iconic red funnels—symbols of modernity and industrial power.

In the background, the urban skyline of New York suggests the final destination of the voyage and evokes the American dream that attracted millions of Europeans.

This dramatic staging perfectly reflects the purpose of transportation posters of the period: to inspire the public’s imagination and celebrate the experience of ocean travel.

Historical and Cultural Significance

Today, posters produced for the Compagnie Générale Transatlantique rank among the most sought-after examples of early transport advertising.

They stand as visual testimonies to:

• the history of transatlantic migration

• the development of international tourism

• the evolution of advertising graphic design in the early 20th century

The works of Richard Rummell occupy a special place within this visual heritage, combining documentary precision with spectacular aesthetics, transforming ocean liners into true icons of modernity.