His Life
- Attends-moi cinq minutes, j'attends qu'elle sèche - Attends-moi cinq minutes, j'attends qu'elle sèche by POULBOTLe Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
Francisque Poulbot was born in Saint-Denis on February 6, 1879, and died in the Montmartre neighborhood of Paris on September 16, 1946.
Today we are going to learn how to cross the street. - no, mom defended it. Today we are going to learn how to cross the street. - no, mom defended it. by Francisque PoulbotLe Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
Drawing became a passion for him at an early age. He published his first drawings when he was 16 years old, but did not dare apply for the prestigious School of Fine Arts.
Poster Artist and Postcard Illustrator
So go hey !!! Landru So go hey !!! Landru by Francisque PoulbotLe Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
His drawings regularly appeared in the publications of the period, and he also created posters, as well as studying engraving with Eugène Delâtre.
This was our home This was our home by Francisque PoulbotLe Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
In August 1914, he was mobilized for the 2nd Army Corps, joining the 11th Land Regiment; during this period he did not produce any artistic work at all. In February 1915, he was hospitalized and discharged from the army due to problems with his bones, so he returned to Paris and rejoined the war effort by producing patriotic drawings, which appeared in the Le Journal newspaper.
Day of the soldier Day of the soldier by Francisque PoulbotLe Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
He also created posters promoting subscriptions to government bonds and war charities.
Heaven! ... two candles! ... - It's only one, I cut it in half. Heaven! ... two candles! ... - It's only one, I cut it in half. by Francisque PoulbotLe Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
The children depicted in these posters spoke directly to their readers in order to awaken their compassion. Francisque Poulbot received a Legion of Honor award for his patriotic drawings .
The Marshal said he is the father of the legionaries, he is my grandfather since dad is ... The Marshal said he is the father of the legionaries, he is my grandfather since dad is ... by Francisque PoulbotLe Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
During World War II, while France was occupied by Germany, he was placed under house arrest as a result of his patriotic posters and postcards. Nonetheless, he illustrated six postcards for legionnaires' children. They were accompanied by a note from Philippe Pétain aimed at young pupils in French schools.
Francisque Poulbot, the man behind Nénette and Rintintin
Nenette and Rintintin Nenette and RintintinLe Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
Nénette and Rintintin were two woolen dolls produced in 1918. Being tied together by a piece of wool, they were inseparable. When carried, these dolls were supposed to protect their owner from shells and bombings.
Before ... when it wasn't war ... Before ... when it wasn't war ... by Francisque PoulbotLe Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
Originally, though, Nénette and Rintintin were two dolls designed in 1913 by Francisque Poulbot to compete with the German toys flooding the French market.
I think of mine that stayed with us and that hears the sirens. I think of mine that stayed with us and that hears the sirens. by Francisque PoulbotLe Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
Nénette, the girl, was named for the nickname Poulbot gave to his wife, and Rintintin, the boy, was Francisque Poulbot's nickname.
His Drawings for Ads
The Salamander, they cry joyfully, is wonderful to warm up! The Salamander, they cry joyfully, is wonderful to warm up! by Francisque PoulbotLe Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
He created ads for wood-burning stoves
How pretty you are ! - It's my old dress that was so dirty, it came back well with Jako. How pretty you are ! - It's my old dress that was so dirty, it came back well with Jako. by Francisque PoulbotLe Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
For Jako detergent
The Pyrex bottle on sale everywhere The Pyrex bottle on sale everywhere by Francisque PoulbotLe Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
For Pyrex feeding bottles
If you can't see the beads, put on glasses like everyone else The Pyrex bottle on sale everywhere If you can't see the beads, put on glasses like everyone else The Pyrex bottle on sale everywhere by Francisque PoulbotLe Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
And also to raise awareness about wearing glasses
Since my eyes hurt, I don't get slaps anymore, mom is too afraid of breaking my ... Since my eyes hurt, I don't get slaps anymore, mom is too afraid of breaking my ... by Francisque PoulbotLe Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
All these drawings featured children who were reminiscent of archetypal Paris street kids, and later came to be referred to by their creator's name.
The Li'l Poulbots
Leave him, he's not used to it yet, it's the fleas that keep him awake. Leave him, he's not used to it yet, it's the fleas that keep him awake. by Francisque PoulbotLe Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
Besides creating characters who became lucky charms, Poulbot contributed a great deal to life in the Montmartre neighborhood. In 1920, together with his friends Adolphe Willette, Louis-Henri Forain, and Maurice Neumont, he founded an association called the "Republic of Montmartre" ("République de Montmartre"), aimed at helping disadvantaged children.
The postman's kid won't come to play today, he left this morning for the summer camp. The postman's kid won't come to play today, he left this morning for the summer camp. by Francisque PoulbotLe Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
In 1923, he opened a free clinic called "The Li'l Poulbots" ("Les P'tit Poulbots") in Lepic Street, for children from Montmartre living in poverty.
No No by Francisque PoulbotLe Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
During the last two decades of his life, Poulbot devoted himself to disadvantaged children and people living in poor housing conditions.
- As-tu fini de jeter de la boue sur les personnes ? - C'est pas de la boue, c'est de la merdeLe Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
Today, "poulbot" has become a regular word, which you can find in French dictionaries, used to refer to poor children in Paris.
