Swiss painter and illustrator Emil Cardinaux was a pioneer of poster design, credited with creating the world’s first modern tourism poster in 1908. Characterized by his use of muted colors and simple yet powerful imagery, Cardinaux’s designs of more than 130 posters captured the world’s attention during the early 20th century and remain highly coveted by art dealers and collectors today.
Born in 1877, Cardinaux was encouraged by his parents to study law at the University of Bern before he turned his attention toward art, taking drawing lessons at the Berner Kunstschule under artist Paul Volmar. In 1898, he moved to Munich to continue his art studies, attending the Akademie der Bildenden Künste München as a student of painter Franz von Stuck.
Following his studies, Cardinaux traveled extensively throughout France, Italy and the Netherlands before returning to Bern in 1903 to focus on landscape painting.
In 1908, Cardinaux was commissioned by the Swiss government to design a promotional poster depicting the country’s famous Matterhorn mountain and Zermatt ski area. Inspired by the stark, symbolist paintings and prints of Swiss artist Ferdinand Hodler, Cardinaux captured the mountain peak in its simplest form, overlooking a shadow-soaked valley.
Cardinaux’s streamlined Jugendstil style was a signature of many of his lithographic posters and landscape prints. He also designed materials for companies, including Tobler Schokolade (makers of Toblerone), the Bern truck factory and Bally shoes.
Throughout his career, Cardinaux created an extensive array of works, such as book illustrations, mono-card designs, printed material, landscape paintings and caricature drawings. However, his iconic posters are most sought after by Art Nouveau and Art Deco collectors and aficionados.
On 1stDibs, find a range of Emil Cardinaux prints and paintings.
1928 Original Jungfrau Railway poster, created by Émile Cardinaux
By Emile Cardinaux
Located in PARIS, FR
The original Jungfrau Railway poster, created by Swiss artist Émile Cardinaux in 1928, is a masterpiece of Swiss design. Cardinaux, who was born in Swi...
Linen, Paper, Lithograph
Chemin De Fer Rhetique
By Emile Cardinaux
Located in New York, NY
Chemin De Fer Rhetique, Grisons, Suisse. Chateau De Tarasp. 1913. Color lithograph Cardinaux created an extensive work of different media, he illu...
Lithograph
Original Jungfrau Railway Bernese Oberland vintage 1913 poster
By Emile Cardinaux
Located in Spokane, WA
The original vintage poster by Emil Cardinaux for the Jungfrau Railway in the Bernese Oberland, Switzerland, is a classic example of early 20th-century travel advertising. Emil Cardi...
Lithograph
Original Vintage Poster Teppichhaus Schuster St Gallen & Zurich Orient Carpets
By Emile Cardinaux
Located in London, GB
Original vintage carpet advertising poster for Teppichhaus Schuster & Co St Gallen & Zurich Switzerland featuring an Oriental style design depicting a lady playing music on a stringed instrument and a man reclining...
Paper
Jungfubahn
By Emile Cardinaux
Located in New York, NY
Cardinaux, Emil. Jungfubahn 1928. Color lithograph. 50 1/4 x 35 1/2" [large format]. Cardinaux’s posters were very influential on the way Switzerland saw and represented itself in...
Lithograph
Emil Cardinaux (1877-1936) - Fine Framed 1931 Oil, The Train Tracks
By Emile Cardinaux
Located in Corsham, GB
Delighted to present a very fine landscape study by the Swiss painter Emil Cardinaux. Known for his wonderful tourist posters and graphic designs, this unusual study still reflects h...
Oil
$2,212Sale Price|25% Off
H 30 in W 30 in D 1 in
Anywhere Door (Dokodemo Door) in the Field of Flowers (hand signed lithograph)
By Takashi Murakami
Located in Aventura, FL
Offset lithograph in colors on smooth wove paper. Hand signed lower right by Takashi Murakami. Hand numbered 817/1000 lower right. Hand signed by Fujiko F Fujio (creator of Doraem...
Paper, Lithograph, Offset
$1,300
H 38 in W 38 in
Guojun Zhang Floral Original Oil On Canvas "Clusters Of Flowers"
Located in New York, NY
Title: Clusters Of Flowers Medium: Oil on canvas Size: 38 x 38 inches Frame: Framing options available! Condition: The painting appears to be in excellent condition. Year: 20...
Canvas, Oil
$32,043
H 32.25 in W 44.25 in D 3 in
19th Century Scottish Highland landscape oil painting of Loch Lubnaig
By Alfred de Breanski Sr.
Located in Nr Broadway, Worcestershire
Alfred de Breanski Snr British, (1852-1928) The Head of Loch Lubnaig Oil on canvas, signed & transcribed verso Image size: 23.5 inches x 35.5 inches Size...
Canvas, Oil
$520Sale Price|62% Off
H 12 in W 14 in D 1 in
Fauvist Oil on Board ca 1930 by Richard H Bassett
Located in Exton, PA
Exquisite and brilliantly colored oil painting on canvass laid to board by Richard Horace Bassett (1900-1995). This is a Fauvist rendition of lands...
Oil
$6,500
H 25 in W 31 in D 2 in
Horse at the Golden Hills, California , Impressionist California landscaper.
By Lynn Gertenbach
Located in La Canada Flintridge, CA
Lynn Gertenbach's "Ride at Golden Hills" is a remarkable oil painting that captures a serene moment of a lady riding a horse under a tree, surrounded by lush grass and vibrant scener...
Oil
$460Sale Price|20% Off
H 17 in W 21 in D 2 in
Antique American Modernist Abstract Expressionist Framed Signed Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Impressive early American modernist abstract oil painting. Framed. Oil on canvas. Signed. Image size, 16H by 20L.
Canvas, Oil
Water Lilies
Located in Zofingen, AG
Imagine yourself on the shore of a lake surrounded by water lilies, where the mirrored surface reflects the bright blue sky of a summer day. This painting captures a unique atmospher...
Canvas, Oil
$2,995
H 12 in W 16 in D 2.25 in
Antique 19th Century Marine Seascape Coastal Maritime English Channel Painting
By James Webb
Located in Portland, OR
A good antique marine oil painting by James Webb (1825-1895), circa 1860, ex-Sothebys. The painting depicts a stormy or squally sea, most likely the English channel, the rocky cliff...
Oil, Board
Landscape with house
By Victor Rousseau
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist: Victor Rousseau (Belgian, 1865-1954) Title: Landscape with house Year: Circa 1910 Medium: Oil on cardboard Board size: 6 x 7.85 inches Signature: Signed lower r...
Oil
$1,450
H 40 in W 30 in D 2 in
Large-Scale Modern Abstracted Teal Landscape
By Daniel David Fuentes
Located in Soquel, CA
Large-Scale Modern Abstracted Teal Landscape A dynamic abstracted landscape in teal by San Jose, California area artist Daniel David Fuentes (American...
Canvas, Oil
$1,196Sale Price|20% Off
H 29 in W 34 in D 2 in
Antique American School Modernist Winter Landscape Signed Framed Oil Painting
By Rosario Urbino Gerbino
Located in Buffalo, NY
Antique American modernist landscape abstraction. Oil on board, circa 1940. Signed. Image size 30L x 25H. Housed in a period modern frame.
Canvas, Oil
$1,295
H 19 in W 23 in D 2 in
Vintage Signed American Modernist New England Framed Coastal Landscape Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vintage American modernist abstract oil painting. Oil on board. Framed. Signed. Measuring: 19 by 23 inches overall, and 17 by 21 painting alone.. In excellent original condition. H...
Oil, Board
Sold
H 49.22 in W 35.44 in D 0.04 in
Original Antique Winter Travel Poster Palace Hotel St Moritz Switzerland
By Emile Cardinaux
Located in London, GB
Original antique winter travel poster for the Palace Hotel St. Moritz Switzerland featuring a stunning design by the notable Swiss artist Emil Cardinaux (1877-1936) depicting a group...
Paper
Sold
H 8.27 in W 5.52 in
Circa 1925 Original poster made by Emil Cardinaux - Zermatt Switzerland
By Emile Cardinaux
Located in PARIS, FR
Original poster made by Emil Cardinaux 🇨🇭 (1877-1936), one of the most important founders of the poster in Switzerland. In 1908, he was commissioned by the Swiss government to cre...
Linen, Paper, Lithograph
Sold
H 50.4 in W 35.83 in D 0.04 in
Original Vintage Poster Schweizerische Bundesbahnen Swiss Federal Railway Travel
By Emile Cardinaux
Located in London, GB
Original vintage railway travel advertising poster for Swiss Federal Railways / Schweizerische Bundesbahnen - featuring stunning artwork by Emil Cardinaux (1877-1936) depicting a scenic view of a red electric train...
Paper
Sold
H 50.4 in W 36.03 in D 0.04 in
Rare Original Antique Winter Sport Ski Travel Poster for St. Moritz Switzerland
By Emile Cardinaux
Located in London, GB
Rare original antique winter sport travel poster for St. Moritz in Switzerland, one of the early and most sought after winter sports posters, featuring ...
Paper