Shell Gasoline 1926 by Jean d’Ylen | Vintage Art Deco Petrol and Automotive Advertising Poster

Shell Gasoline – Imaginative Automotive Advertising by Jean d’Ylen

Created in 1926 by celebrated French poster artist Jean d’Ylen, this remarkable advertising poster promotes Shell gasoline through one of the artist’s most imaginative mechanical characters. By combining the form of a galloping horse with automotive machinery, d’Ylen presents gasoline as the modern source of horsepower, energy, and rapid movement.

A fantastic green mechanical horse charges through the darkness with two brilliant red Shell fuel cans secured across its back. Its body is assembled from gears, pistons, wheels, metal plates, and articulated mechanical legs, transforming the traditional symbol of transportation into a powerful machine-age creature.

White clouds of exhaust or steam burst from the horse’s nostrils as it races forward. The dynamic pose, lifted legs, and trailing motion marks create an unmistakable impression of speed. The imagery offers a witty visual interpretation of “horsepower,” linking Shell gasoline with the strength and stamina once associated with the horse.

The green machine and red fuel containers stand out dramatically against the deep black background, while monumental yellow Shell lettering anchors the composition below. Bold and inventive, this reproduction is ideal for a garage, workshop, office, automotive showroom, service station, man cave, or vintage petroliana collection.

Why Collectors Love This Print

• Created by celebrated French poster artist Jean d’Ylen
• Authentic 1926 Shell gasoline advertisement
• Features an imaginative mechanical horse
• Clever visual interpretation of automotive horsepower
• Includes two brilliant red Shell fuel containers
• Dynamic galloping pose conveys speed and energy
• Dramatic black, green, red, white, and yellow palette
• Strong Art Deco and machine-age design influences
• Ideal for garages, workshops, offices, and man caves
• Distinctive gift for automotive and petroliana collectors

Available Print & Display Options

• Fine Art Prints
• Poster 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

Choose an unframed print for flexible presentation or select one of our ready-to-display canvas, framed, or metal options for a finished statement piece.

Artwork Details

• Title: Shell Gasoline
• Artist: Jean d’Ylen
• Date: 1926
• Brand Advertised: Shell
• Product: Gasoline and automotive fuel
• Subject: Vintage petroleum and automotive advertising
• Featured Image: Mechanical horse carrying fuel cans
• Style: Art Deco and machine-age commercial illustration
• Original Format: Color lithographic poster
• Primary Colors: Black, green, red, white, and yellow
• Origin: France

Disclaimer

This artwork is a Museum Grade Reproduction of a Historical advertising poster.

Colors, cropping, scale, and fine details may vary slightly depending on the selected size, material, and display format.

Yesterday’s Posters is not affiliated with or endorsed by Jean d’Ylen, Shell, Shell plc, or any associated historical rights holders or organizations.