20 Francs 1992, France
| in Krause book | Number: 151f |
| Years of issue: | 1992 |
| Edition: | |
| Signatures: | Le Secretaire: D. Bruneel, Le Controleur: J. Bonnardin, Le caissier: A. Charriau |
| Serie: | 1968 - 1981 Issue |
| Specimen of: | 1980 |
| Material: | Cotton fiber |
| Size (mm): | 140 х 75 |
| Printer: | Banque de France, Chamalieres |
* All pictures marked 
are increased partially by magnifying glass, the remaining open in full size by clicking on the image.
** The word "Specimen" is present only on some of electronic pictures, in accordance with banknote images publication rules of appropriate banks.
Description
Watermark:
Portrait of the composer Claude Debussy.
Since 1990, a new element of protection of French banknotes - security thread, sewn into a piece of paper.
Avers:
The engraving on banknote is made after this portrait of composer by Marcel-Andre Baschet, 1884. It is now in the Musée d'Orsay, in Paris.
Achille-Claude Debussy (22 August 1862 - 25 March 1918) was a French composer. Along with Maurice Ravel, he was one of the most prominent figures associated with Impressionist music, though he himself intensely disliked the term when applied to his compositions. In France, he was made Chevalier of the Legion of Honour in 1903. Debussy was among the most influential composers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and his use of non-traditional scales and chromaticism influenced many composers who followed.
Debussy's music is noted for its sensory content and frequent eschewing of tonality. The French literary style of his period was known as Symbolism, and this movement directly inspired Debussy both as a composer and as an active cultural participant.
Marcel-André Baschet (5 August 1862 - 28 December 1941) was a French portrait painter, notable for his numerous portraits of the Presidents of the French Third Republic.
On the background is the seascape. In 1905 Debussy finished his orchestral composition "La mer" (The Sea). Composed between 1903 and 1905, the piece was initially not well received, but soon became one of Debussy's most admired and frequently performed orchestral works.
There is a chance of association between the background on obverse and this composition.
Denomination in numeral is in top right corner, in words in lower left corner.
Revers:
Same portrait (as on obverse) of the composer is created by artist Marcel-Andre Baschet in 1884.
The park is on background.
Park is a symbol of the scene "The Fountain in the Park" from the opera "Pelleas et Melisande" by Claude Debussy in five acts (13 scenes), written in the text of the play by Maurice Maeterlinck. The composer himself described his work as a lyrical drama. Duration of the opera - about 3 hours. It was first staged in April 1902.
Denomination in numeral is in top right corner.
Comments:
I got this banknote in Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, at 7 of November 1992.
Obverse designer: Jubert, J.
Reverse designer: Taurelle, B.
Sculptor: Herouard (B).
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