Madagascar Travel Poster: Superficie de l’ïle by Maurice Tranchant de Lunel, 1952

Madagascar… Superficie de l’ïle by Maurice Tranchant de Lunel (1952) is a radiant mid-century travel poster-map that transforms the island’s geography into a richly illustrated celebration of place. Designed in the decorative cartographic tradition of the 1940s–50s—when maps were as much about romance and storytelling as wayfinding—it pairs a stylized outline of Madagascar with lively vignettes of local culture and natural life. The title’s nod to the island’s “superficie” (area) hints at geographic substance, while the imagery revels in the era’s optimism for exploration and tourism.

This fine art edition is offered exclusively by The Unique Maps Co. as a museum-quality print on acid-free archival paper or on artist’s cotton canvas. Choose from a range of sizes suited to study walls, hallway galleries, and statement-scale living rooms. Add professional framing, matting, and personalized captions, or request custom sizing and color profiling to harmonize with your space.

About the artist: Maurice Tranchant de Lunel was a French architect-illustrator whose career bridged design, heritage, and the decorative arts in the early to mid-20th century. Renowned for his eye for ornament and narrative detail, he often brought a humanist, ethnographic sensitivity to his imagery. His cartographic works in particular balanced clear, legible geography with lyrical illustration—exactly the alchemy that made mid-century travel posters so enduring.

Why this subject matters: Madagascar occupies a singular place in the imagination—remote yet inviting, culturally rich, and ecologically extraordinary. In the early 1950s, as global air travel expanded and tourism flourished, such posters helped define how destinations were envisioned abroad. This composition doubles as a cultural snapshot: traditional Malagasy figures, motifs, and fauna animate the island’s silhouette, fusing pride of place with a welcoming spirit that spoke directly to the travelers of its time.

Color, style, and design: A confident palette of deep red, sunlit yellow, and verdant green sets an exuberant tone, with touches of blue enlivening sea and sky. Thick black contour lines give each vignette crisp definition, while finer strokes enrich textiles, foliage, and architectural details. A geometric compass rose anchors the layout, and ornamental flourishes—some with mythic overtones—reinforce the storytelling. It’s an artwork that reads beautifully from across the room yet rewards up-close viewing, making it a conversation piece for eclectic, modern, and vintage-inspired interiors alike.

Whether you’re commemorating a journey to the Red Island, inspiring a future adventure, or honoring a loved one’s connection to Madagascar, this print makes a timeless gift. Ideal for birthdays, housewarmings, Christmas, Mother’s or Father’s Day, or as a thoughtful surprise for anyone who has recently traveled to—or dreams of visiting—this unforgettable destination.

If you're not sure what size to order, or you're looking for a custom order of some kind – a different size, a different colour, a special frame – then please contact me. I usually respond within a few minutes.

You can see an example of my fine art personalisation service in the fifth image. Zoom in and take a look. My personalised artwork is always very well received. Take a look at more examples of personalisation.

You can also choose to age your art print to make it look older. This is popular amongst my customers who want their artwork to look like an older, antique print. You can see an example of ageing in the sixth product image, or go ahead and check out lots of examples of other aged artwork.

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

I can print and frame this beautiful piece of art at sizes up to 3 metres (10ft). If you are looking for a size or framing option that isn't available online, please get in touch.

This artwork is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. My standard frames come in six colours (black, dark brown, dark grey, antique gold, oak and white), and custom framing is available for an additional charge. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.