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.
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
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
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
$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
$718Sale Price|20% Off
H 10.24 in W 7.87 in
Umberto Brunelleschi, Untitled, from The Tales of Boccaccio, 1934 (after)
By Umberto Brunelleschi
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite lithograph and pochoir after Umberto Brunelleschi (1879–1949), titled Sans titre (Untitled), originates from the celebrated album Les contes de Boccace (The Tales of B...
Lithograph, Stencil
$718Sale Price|20% Off
H 10.24 in W 7.87 in
Umberto Brunelleschi, Untitled, from The Tales of Boccaccio, 1934 (after)
By Umberto Brunelleschi
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite lithograph and pochoir after Umberto Brunelleschi (1879–1949), titled Sans titre (Untitled), originates from the celebrated album Les contes de Boccace (The Tales of B...
Lithograph, Stencil
Love Is What You Want
By Tracey Emin
Located in London, GB
2015 Offset lithographic poster 70 x 50 cm Edition of 500 Hand signed by Emin Published by Emin International Tracey Emin (born 1963) is best known for her intimate, authentic, auto...
Paper, Lithograph, Offset
$4,250
H 19 in W 21.25 in D 1.5 in
Lithograph of American rural life timeless and romantic
By Thomas Hart Benton
Located in London, GB
A fine impression of this very popular image with full margins (smaller on top and bottom) published by Associated American Artists.
Lithograph
$4,250
H 19 in W 21.5 in D 1.5 in
Lithograph of American rural life timeless and romantic countryside monochrome
By Thomas Hart Benton
Located in London, GB
A fine impression with good margins published by Associated American Artists.
Lithograph
$718Sale Price|20% Off
H 10.24 in W 7.87 in
Umberto Brunelleschi, Untitled, from The Tales of Boccaccio, 1934 (after)
By Umberto Brunelleschi
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite lithograph and pochoir after Umberto Brunelleschi (1879–1949), titled Sans titre (Untitled), originates from the celebrated album Les contes de Boccace (The Tales of B...
Lithograph, Stencil
$718Sale Price|20% Off
H 10.24 in W 7.87 in
Umberto Brunelleschi, Untitled, from The Tales of Boccaccio, 1934 (after)
By Umberto Brunelleschi
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite lithograph and pochoir after Umberto Brunelleschi (1879–1949), titled Sans titre (Untitled), originates from the celebrated album Les contes de Boccace (The Tales of B...
Lithograph, Stencil
$718Sale Price|20% Off
H 10.24 in W 7.87 in
Umberto Brunelleschi, Untitled, from The Tales of Boccaccio, 1934 (after)
By Umberto Brunelleschi
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite lithograph and pochoir after Umberto Brunelleschi (1879–1949), titled Sans titre (Untitled), originates from the celebrated album Les contes de Boccace (The Tales of B...
Lithograph, Stencil
$718Sale Price|20% Off
H 10.24 in W 7.87 in
Umberto Brunelleschi, Untitled, from The Tales of Boccaccio, 1934 (after)
By Umberto Brunelleschi
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite lithograph and pochoir after Umberto Brunelleschi (1879–1949), titled Sans titre (Untitled), originates from the celebrated album Les contes de Boccace (The Tales of B...
Lithograph, Stencil
$718Sale Price|20% Off
H 10.24 in W 7.87 in
Umberto Brunelleschi, Untitled, from The Tales of Boccaccio, 1934 (after)
By Umberto Brunelleschi
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite lithograph and pochoir after Umberto Brunelleschi (1879–1949), titled Sans titre (Untitled), originates from the celebrated album Les contes de Boccace (The Tales of B...
Lithograph, Stencil
$718Sale Price|20% Off
H 10.24 in W 7.87 in
Umberto Brunelleschi, Untitled, from The Tales of Boccaccio, 1934 (after)
By Umberto Brunelleschi
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite lithograph and pochoir after Umberto Brunelleschi (1879–1949), titled Sans titre (Untitled), originates from the celebrated album Les contes de Boccace (The Tales of B...
Lithograph, Stencil
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 27.17 in W 27.76 in
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