The Bugatti Catalogs Functional Design. 1920s and 1930s

Ettore, Jean and the Bugatti Literature

Most people know vintage Bugatti Posters created by great artists, including Cassandre, Marcello Dudovitch, Renè Vincent, Geo Ham, and others. Bugatti literature, such as catalogs, advertisements, and posters, is less known but not less beautiful.

Ettore Bugatti, renowned for his technical prowess, also possessed a rare artistic flair. He shaped his unique blend of technical skills and creative talent in his early years at the prestigious Brera School of Art in Milan. He was the mastermind behind many of Bugatti’s creations, a trait he passed on to his exceptionally gifted son, Gianoberto (aka Jean), who later ventured into solo design.
Ettore and Jean Bugatti were the creative minds behind Bugatti’s iconic designs and the visionaries who oversaw the creation of Bugatti’s literature. Their influence can be seen in every catalog, advertisement, poster, and factory technical drawing.

This is a work-in-progress page. Come back soon to read the whole story.
All the images on this page and more are available as high-resolution and fine-art prints.

The Bugatti Literature Functional Design.

Unlike posters, Bugatti Brochures’ design, illustration, or photos were usually not credited, except for a few drawings by Alexis Kow, the leading car artist in France, and the company’s photographer, Mr. Carabin.
We suspect that most of the literature was directly designed or supervised  by Ettore or Jean. They were highly demanding and expected almost obsessive attention to detail from engineers and designers.
Bugatti’s literature had a home-made taste. The Company didn’t have the budgets of most car makers, but its brochures were original and elegant—a class from itself.

From Ettore to Jean.

Starting in 1930, Ettore progressively passed the design pen on to his exceptionally gifted son, Gianoberto (aka Jean). Jean’s designs, often described as the epitome of automotive beauty, include the Type 41 Royale, the Type 55 and the Type 57 range, which reached its zenith with the Roadster, the Atalante, the Atlantic, and the Aérolithe.

The change also affected the catalog design, as seen in the excellent cover of the 1939 brochure of the Type 57 range, which marked a significant shift in Bugatti’s design philosophy and set the tone for future models. Unfortunately, a few months, after this cover Jean died in a car crash, which was a substantial loss for the company.

The 1937 Type 57 Range Catalog. illustrated by Alexis Kow.

We showcase most of the Type 57 range catalog here, one of the most elegant brochures designed by Jean. The car’s drawings, illustrated by Alexis Kow, emphasize the sleekness of the vehicles. Still, while stretching the design to create a more streamlined look, the illustration raises questions about interpreting the car’s aesthetics.
Born in Russia but naturalized as Swiss and French, Kow is the most renowned illustrator of French cars. His images consistently are very dynamic, with a significant impact.
The catalog’s cover is the featured image of the Type 57 Sport, winner at Le Mans, and the streamlined ” Bugatti Autorail.”
These and the missing pages are available in the store.