Created by Litho Myncke in Belgium in 1925, Apéritif pur Jus de Fruits, Half en Half turns a drinks advertisement into a tightly controlled display of colour, lettering and theatrical presentation. A poised woman with vivid orange hair occupies the centre, her pale, close-fitting costume sharply separated from a deep brown ground. She holds an arrangement of fruit and garnishes, while glowing reds, oranges, yellows and touches of green give the poster an almost concentrated warmth.

The design belongs to an era when commercial lithography brought sophisticated graphic art into cafés, shops and public streets. Its wording reflects Belgium’s multilingual market: the French description “Apéritif pur Jus de Fruits” is paired with the prominently displayed “Half en Half”. Rather than explaining the drink at length, the poster relies on immediate visual associations—fresh fruit, elegant service and saturated colour—while a clear typographic hierarchy ensures that both the nature of the product and its name can be grasped quickly.

A closer look

The central figure provides the poster’s visual axis. Her upright pose introduces a note of elegance, but the composition avoids stiffness through the rounded contours of her body, the sweep of her orange hair and the outward movement of her arms. Fine outlining lifts her silhouette from the dark background, while restrained shading gives the pale costume a suggestion of volume without disturbing the essentially flat, graphic treatment. Her carefully positioned hand directs attention towards the refreshment and its fruit garnish.

Colour does much of the persuasive work. Yellow lettering gleams against muted brown, while the fruit supplies compact accents of lemon yellow, grape-like green and rich red-orange. A sliced lemon becomes a particularly bright point within the central arrangement. Around the upper edge, a decorative succession of fruits extends the product’s identity into the border: these forms are simplified rather than botanically precise, creating an impression of abundance and freshness without competing with the woman’s face or the main text.

The lettering is integrated into the composition rather than added as a separate caption. “Apéritif pur Jus de Fruits” runs across the upper area in elegant yellow characters, framing the figure from above. Below, “Half en Half” expands into large, flowing script, its curves echoing those of the figure and fruit. This contrast between compact explanatory text and an expansive product name establishes a strong reading order while preserving the design’s decorative rhythm.

Context and significance

By the 1920s, European advertising posters had developed a visual language suited to busy modern environments: simplified silhouettes, broad areas of colour and lettering bold enough to remain legible at a distance. Litho Myncke’s design uses those principles with particular economy. There is little conventional setting and no elaborate narrative; the dark field removes distraction, allowing the figure, fruit and brand name to operate as a single emblematic group.

Yet the poster is more than a functional announcement. Its carefully balanced symmetry, ornamental fruit border and stylish central figure show how commercial design could borrow the composure of illustration while retaining the directness required of advertising. The result is distinctly of 1925: polished, sociable and modern, with the promise of the drink communicated through a memorable union of typography, colour and performance.

Choosing the right size and finish

Artwork can feel intimate at smaller sizes and dramatically more architectural at larger ones. Use the room preview, model image and size guide to see how the proportions and scale will work in your space.

If you need an exact size, specialist framing or help planning a larger display, ask our workshop for advice.

The model in the listing images is holding the 24x36in (60x90cm) version of this art print.

Where personalisation is available, you can add a short title or dedication, or one considered visual detail. See examples of personalised artwork.

Choose Original to retain the colour and character of the source artwork, or Aged for a warmer, more antique appearance. See examples of our Aged artwork.

Every piece is produced to archival standards using fade-resistant pigment inks on acid-free matte art paper. Choose an art print, framed art print or framed canvas using the finish options above.

Framed art prints use crystal-clear optical acrylic for excellent clarity, lower weight and safer delivery than glass. Each piece arrives professionally framed and ready to hang.

Selected artworks can be produced at statement sizes up to 3 metres (10ft). Custom sizing and specialist framing are also available. If the exact option you need is not listed, contact our workshop.

This artwork is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The work is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present an art print without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas art and explore the differences between my different finishes.