Indochine Française.

Pictorial map showing Vietnam, Indochina in red on yellow, showing Hanoi, Pnom Penh. Decorative poster designed by Lucien Boucher (French, 1889–1971) for "l'association pour l' indochine française" in 1945 or 1946 after the occupation by Japan.
Printed in Paris by Perceval.

Boucher’s vision of French Indochina is a richly exotic and vibrantly colorful portrait of peaceful, beneficent colonialism. Presented as a geographically integrated entity, without any regional borders or boundaries between its constituent territories, it is a region seemingly entirely untouched by World War Two. The only visible manifestation of conflict is the powerful battleship whose somewhat menacing & shadowy presence disturbs the otherwise peaceful waters of the South China Sea. Boucher focuses on the richness of indigenous flora and fauna, with attractive vignettes of elephants, snakes, monkeys, deer, tigers &, leopards. The region’s important natural resources are also highlighted, with beautifully presented scenes of rice planting, farming, logging and mining. Nor does Boucher’s Indochinese vision ignore the wealth &, richness of the region’s own indigenous history and culture, as equally striking illustrations reference things, unique archaeological sites & temple ruins of Cambodia’s Angkor Wat &, Kampong Cham and Vietnam’s ancient Imperial City of Hué (later the scene of terrible fighting during the Vietnam War’s 1968 Tet Offensive). Offshore, numerous oriental junks and fishing vessels ply their trade amid shoals of fish, turtle and a giant sea monster. A stunningly designed large compass spur upper right is counterbalanced by an equally striking title cartouche lower left, whose orientaliste motifs and decoration further emphasize the region’s exotic indigenous culture &, much-prized commercial riches.

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