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
"The Waiting" - 1977 Surrealist Lithograph on Paper
Located in Soquel, CA
"The Waiting" - 1977 Surrealist Lithograph on Paper Surrealist lithograph titled "The Waiting" by Jim Crabb (American, b. 1947-). Black and white surrealist figures take up the pape...
Paper, Ink, Lithograph
MICKEY FROM HEAD TO TOE
By Romero Britto
Located in Aventura, FL
Original, limited edition offset lithograph in colors on paper. Published by Walt Disney Art Classics. Artwork is in excellent condition. All reasonabl...
Paper, Lithograph, Offset
OR DUR OR AISON
By Roberto Matta
Located in Aventura, FL
Hand signed and numbered by the artist. Artwork is in excellent condition. Additional images are available upon request. Certificate of Authenticity is included. Edition of 175. All...
Lithograph, Paper
$685
H 33 in W 23 in D 0.05 in
Original "C'est un Hurricane" vintage bicycle pin-up style poster
Located in Spokane, WA
Original Hurricane Bicycle vintage poster. Archivally linen backed in mint condition 72-year-old poster, ready to frame. This is an original mid-century modern vintage Hurricane...
Lithograph
$1,250
H 12.5 in W 9.75 in D 0.75 in
Cornucopia (limited edition hardback monograph hand signed by Damien Hirst)
By Damien Hirst
Located in New York, NY
Damien Hirst Cornucopia, 2010 Limited edition hardback monograph (hand signed by Damien Hirst) Hand signed in ink by Damien Hirst on the first front end page 12 1/2 × 9 3/4 × 3/4 inches This limited edition illustrated hardback monograph, with no dust jacket, exactly as issued, was published on the occasion of the artist's show at Musee Oceanographique de Monaco in April 2010, 'Cornucopia' celebrates Hirst's paintings and sculptures from 1994-2009." This book was gifted by Damien Hirst to a member of an American Rock & Roll band that Hirst befriended. Stated Limited Edition of 2000 (unnumbered) About the book: Publisher: Musée Océanographique de Monaco, 2010 Text: English / French. 160 pgs with color illustrations Limited Edition: 2000 (the regular edition is not signed; this was exceptionally hand signed by Hirst) About Damien Hirst: People are afraid of change, so you create a kind of belief for them through repetition. It’s like breathing. I’ve always been drawn to series and pairs. A unique thing is quite a frightening object. —Damien Hirst Since emerging onto the international art scene in the late 1980s, Damien Hirst has created installations, sculptures, paintings, and drawings that examine the complex relationships between art and beauty, religion and science, and life and death. From serialized paintings of multicolored spots to animal specimens...
Paper, Ink, Mixed Media, Lithograph, Offset
She Lay Down Deep Beneath the Sea
By Tracey Emin
Located in London, GB
2012 Offset lithograph in colours on wove paper 80 x 60 cm Signed in black in by Tracey Emin Published by Turner Contemporary Accompanied by a gallery Certificate of Authenticity Tr...
Paper, Lithograph, Offset
$3,495
H 18.25 in W 20.75 in
A Los Toros Avec Picasso (Set of Three in Black Frames)
By Pablo Picasso
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Pablo Picasso Title: La Pique (I), Jeu de la Cape (III), Les Banderilles (IV) Portfolio: A Los Toros Avec Picasso Medium: Set of three transfer lithographs Date: 1961 Edition...
Lithograph
Two Pembroke Studio Chairs
By David Hockney
Located in London, GB
A striking original lithograph from Hockney's popular The Moving Focus series with Cubist influences. Hockney depicts his studio interior with varying perspectives, shadows, views an...
Handmade Paper, Lithograph
On My Knees
By Tracey Emin
Located in London, GB
This lithograph is one of Tracey’s incredible intimate pieces that explores all elements of life where she puts herself into the artwork as part of her unique autobiographical style....
Paper, Lithograph
Life Will Never Be The Same (Nor Should It)
By Tracey Emin
Located in London, GB
2022 Lithograph on Somerset Velvet Warm White 400gsm paper 94 x 74 cm Edition of 50 Signed, numbered, dated and titled by Tracey Emin Published by Counter Studio, Margate Tracey Emi...
Paper, Lithograph
$541
H 13.78 in W 19.69 in
Leo by Marcelo Martin Burgos - Lithograph, animal, childhood, imagination, wings
By Marcelo Martin Burgos
Located in Paris, FR
Leo is a lithograph (2 colours, gold leaf on Fabriano 50% cotton 300 g paper) by contemporary artist Marcelo Martin Burgos, dimensions are 35 × 50 cm (13.8 × 19.7 in). The lithograp...
Gold Leaf
$3,495
H 17.25 in W 19.75 in
A Los Toros Avec Picasso (Set of Three in Gold Frames)
By Pablo Picasso
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Pablo Picasso Title: La Pique (I), Jeu de la Cape (III), Les Banderilles (IV) Portfolio: A Los Toros Avec Picasso Medium: Set of three transfer lithographs Date: 1961 Edition...
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