Chocolat Klaus c.1903 by Leonetto Cappiello | Vintage French Chocolate Advertising Poster

Chocolat Klaus – The Iconic Red Horse Poster by Leonetto Cappiello

Bring one of the most celebrated images in the history of vintage advertising into your space with Chocolat Klaus, the iconic 1903 chocolate poster by legendary Italian-French artist Leonetto Cappiello.

Created for the Swiss chocolate company Klaus, this unforgettable composition depicts an elegant woman in a flowing pale-green dress riding a brilliant red horse. The animal rears dramatically against a deep black background while the rider calmly holds its blue reins, her sweeping cape and pointed green hat adding theatrical movement to the scene.

The extraordinary red-and-green pairing has no literal connection to chocolate—an intentional creative decision that helped make the advertisement impossible to overlook. Cappiello understood that a powerful, unusual image could become permanently associated with a brand, and the red horse became an instantly recognizable emblem of Chocolat Klaus.

The poster represents an important turning point in modern commercial design. Rather than relying on elaborate scenery or lengthy product descriptions, Cappiello isolated one memorable figure against darkness and paired it with monumental yellow typography. This bold approach helped establish the visual language of 20th-century advertising.

With its commanding black, red, green, yellow, blue, white, and gray palette, this historic poster makes an exceptional statement piece for kitchens, dining rooms, cafés, restaurants, living rooms, confectionery shops, equestrian interiors, and vintage-inspired commercial spaces.

Why Collectors Love This Print

• Artwork by legendary poster artist Leonetto Cappiello
• One of the most iconic images in advertising history
• Created for the Swiss Chocolat Klaus company
• Features the unforgettable brilliant red horse
• Elegant woman in a flowing green dress
• Dramatic black background with monumental typography
• Landmark example of modern commercial poster design
• Powerful use of unexpected color and simplified imagery
• Excellent crossover between culinary and equestrian art
• Ideal for kitchens, cafés, restaurants, and dining rooms

Available Print & Display Options

Available in multiple sizes and premium display formats, including:

• Fine Art Prints
• Framed Fine Art Prints
• Gallery-Wrapped Canvas
• Black Floater Frame Canvas
• White Floater Frame Canvas
• Brown Floater Frame Canvas
• Natural Floater Frame Canvas
• Metal Prints

Each reproduction is made to order using high-resolution printing designed to preserve the deep black background, brilliant red horse, flowing green dress, blue reins, bold yellow lettering, and distinctive character of the historic original.

Artwork Details

Title: Chocolat Klaus

Artist: Leonetto Cappiello

Date: 1903

Advertiser: Chocolat Klaus

Product: Swiss Chocolate

Genre: Vintage Food and Confectionery Advertising Poster

Subject: Female Rider, Red Horse & Chocolate Advertising

Period: Belle Époque / Early 1900s

Style: Early Modern Advertising Art

Primary Colors: Black, Red, Green, Yellow, Blue, White, Gray

Orientation: Vertical / Portrait

Disclaimer

This artwork is a Museum Grade Reproduction of a Historical advertising poster and is offered solely for its artistic, historical, decorative, and collectible value. Yesterday’s Posters is an independent seller of reproduction wall art and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the original advertiser or any current rights holder.