Pétanque Poster in Marseille – A Celebration of the Game, Culture and Southern Identity
Thisposter illustrated by Lotzais much more than a simple graphic representation: it is an immersive dive into theProvençal art of living, in the heart ofMarseille, between tradition, conviviality and heritage. The scene represents a player ofpetanqueconcentrated, in the middle of throwing, on a typical pitch in the South of France. The sun, the warm light, and the sandy texture immediately evoke thesquares of Provenceand theiconic bowling greensMarseille neighborhoods.
What makes this illustration unique is thereflection of the petanque ball, where thejack– the aim of the game – and above all, an iconic monument of the Phocaean city: the majesticNotre-Dame-de-la-Garde Basilica, affectionately nicknamedthe Good Mother. Perched on its hill, it has watched over the city and its inhabitants for generations. A spiritual and architectural symbol ofMarseille, she dominates theOld Portand theMediterranean, embodying both popular faith and territorial roots.
A poster celebrating pétanque, an emblematic sport of French culture
Listed in theFrench collective imagination, therepetanqueis much more than a game: it is asocial ritual, Amoment of sharingintergenerational. Born inProvenceAt the beginning of the 20th century, it is now practiced throughout France and far beyond. Whether you are an amateur or a professional, the pleasure of playing boules remains the same: getting together with friends, chatting, laughing, and encouraging each other, in a relaxed atmosphere but imbued with friendly competition.
Lotza succeeds here in illustrating thistypical southern atmosphere, by combining the player's precise gesture with the iconic background ofMarseille. L'poster evokes summer vacations, the song of the cicadas, the aperitifs on the terrace and the impromptu tournaments in the villages. It's quite aMediterranean lifestylewhich is expressed through this work.
