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
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
$1,450
H 17.5 in W 22.5 in
SIGNED 1960s Jean DUBUFFET print (Jean Dubuffet exhibition poster)
By Jean Dubuffet
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Jean Dubuffet Ustensiles Utopiques 1966: Hand-signed Jean Dubuffet lithographic poster published on the occasion of: "Jean Dubuffet, Recent Pa...
Offset, Laid Paper, Lithograph
Marching on a Butterbur Leaf
By Yoshitomo Nara
Located in Washington , DC, DC
Lithograph, Linen, Paper
Jack Russell Terriers by Alexander Pope
By Alexander Pope
Located in Paonia, CO
An original chromolithograph from the Celebrated Dogs of America by Alexander Pope Jr. and published by S.E. Casino, Boston,1882. This compositio...
Lithograph
$275
H 10.25 in W 6.38 in
Harlan's Buzzard Birds: An Original 19th C. Audubon Hand-colored Bird Lithograph
By John James Audubon
Located in Alamo, CA
This is an original 1st edition John James Audubon hand-colored lithograph entitled "Harlan's Buzzard", No. 2, Plate 8 from Audubon's "Birds of America, lithographed, printed and col...
Lithograph
!["Chute de Barcelone" [The Fall of Barcelona]](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/le-corbusier-prints-works-on-paper-chute-de-barcelone-the-fall-of-barcelona-for-sale/a_28452/a_171838121762543447588/item_127890_catimage_1_master.jpg?width=240)
!["Chute de Barcelone" [The Fall of Barcelona]](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/le-corbusier-prints-works-on-paper-chute-de-barcelone-the-fall-of-barcelona-for-sale-picture-2/a_28452/a_171838121762543790811/item_127890_catimage_2_master.jpg?width=240)
"Chute de Barcelone" [The Fall of Barcelona]
By Le Corbusier
Located in Astoria, NY
Le Corbusier (Charles-Edouard Jeanneret, Swiss/French, 1887-1965), "Chute de Barcelone" [The Fall of Barcelona], Lithograph in Colors on Wove Paper, 1960, from "Cortege." Unsigned,...
Paper, Lithograph
$1,675
H 6.38 in W 8.38 in
Bald Eagle Bird: A 1st Edition 19th C. Audubon Hand-colored Bird Lithograph
By John James Audubon
Located in Alamo, CA
This is an original 1st edition John James Audubon hand-colored lithograph entitled "White-headed Sea Eagle or Bald Eagle", No. 3, Plate 14 from Audubon's "Birds of America, lithogra...
Lithograph
Fox hunting print by Lionel Edwards
By Lionel Edwards
Located in London, GB
To see our other hunting pictures, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller" and then search. Lionel Ed...
Lithograph
$1,735
H 18.51 in W 16.93 in
Snaffles: 'The Timber Merchant' 1930s lithograph signed in pencil
Located in London, GB
To see our other hunting prints and paintings, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller" and then search. Charles "Snaffles" Johnson Payne (1884-1967) The Timber Merchant (c. 1932) Lithograph 47 x 43 cm Signed in pencil...
Lithograph
$1,875
H 6.63 in W 10.13 in
Great North Diver Bird: Original 19th C. 1st Ed. Audubon Hand-colored Lithograph
By John James Audubon
Located in Alamo, CA
This is an original rare and extremely collectible first edition John James Audubon hand-colored royal octavo lithograph entitled "Great North Diver or Loon", No. 96, Plate 476, from...
Lithograph
$1,975Sale Price|50% Off
H 29.5 in W 21.75 in
Enfant En Pied (Marina Picasso Estate hand signed Lithograph)
By (after) Pablo Picasso
Located in Aventura, FL
Selected from the personal collection inherited by Marina Picasso, Pablo Picasso's granddaughter. After Pablo Picasso's death, his granddaughter Marina authorized the printing of t...
Paper, Lithograph
$3,475
H 37 in W 24.75 in D 0.3 in
Original South Africa Express Italian Line - Genoa 1931 vintage travel poster
By Giovanni Patrone
Located in Spokane, WA
Original 1931 South Africa Express Vintage Italian Cruise Line Poster - Art Deco Masterpiece - Rare Collectible. Archival linen backed in Grade A- condition. This poster features...
Lithograph
$8,500
H 27 in W 35 in
THOMAS MORAN Grand Canyon of Arizona from Hermit Rim Road 1912 Chromolithograph
By Thomas Moran
Located in Rancho Santa Fe, CA
IN PRISTINE CONDITION. A color Chromolithograph published by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad in 1912 after the original oil painting, “Gr...
Paper, Lithograph
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