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.
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
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
$150
H 6.63 in W 10.38 in
Scolopaceous Courlan: An Original 19th C. Audubon Hand-colored Bird Lithograph
By John James Audubon
Located in Alamo, CA
This is an original 19th century John James Audubon hand-colored lithograph entitled "Scolopaceous Courlan", No. 63, Plate 312 from Audubon's "Birds of America, lithographed, printed...
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
$225
H 28 in W 120 in
Vintage MOMA Francesco Clemente Museum of Modern Art 1986 dream myth poster
By Francesco Clemente
Located in New York, NY
This three-part work spanning 10 feet was printed from the plates of Francesco Clemente’s mythological landscape Untitled A on the occasion of the 1986 MoMA, New York show of Clement...
Lithograph, Offset
Jack Rabbit
By Robert Deyber
Located in Greenwich, CT
Jack Rabbit is a lithograph on paper, 9.5 x 7.5 inches image size. From the edition of 395, numbered 151/275 (there were also 100 Roman and 20 AP), framed in a contemporary, silver-t...
Paper, Lithograph
$2,400
H 28 in W 20 in
Antique Dog Lithograph Taste of Alfred De Dreux, France ca. 1870 Saint Bernard A
By Alfred de Dreux
Located in SANTA FE, NM
Antique Dog Portrait Lithograph in the Taste of Alfred De Dreux Saint Bernard France, circa 1870 Lithography 25 5/8 x 19 5/8 (28 x 20 frame) inches Six lithographs of dog portrait...
Lithograph
Beatles Yellow Submarine Pop Art Poster, Peter Max
By Peter Max
Located in Dubai, Dubai
Beatles Yellow Submarine Movie poster after Peter Max Peter Max is a German-American artist known for his colourful, psychedelic pop art, whi...
Lithograph, Linen
$875
H 6.75 in W 10.25 in
Red-breasted Merganser: An Original 19th C. Audubon Hand-colored Bird Lithograph
By John James Audubon
Located in Alamo, CA
This is an original John James Audubon hand-colored lithograph entitled "Red-breasted Merganser, 1. Male 2. Female", No. 83, Plate 412 from Audubon's "Birds of America, lithographed,...
Lithograph
$950
H 38.25 in W 24.8 in D 0.3 in
Original Metropole Messageries Maritimes Union Francaise vintage travel poster
Located in Spokane, WA
Original antique French lithograph travel poster: Metropole Messageries Maritimes Union Francaise. Artist: Poulain. This unicorn-s...
Lithograph
$543
H 14.97 in W 20.48 in
The Beaufort Hunt Above the Sodbury Vale 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 Edwards (1878 - 1966) The Beaufort...
Lithograph
$343
H 14.18 in W 20.08 in
The Old Surrey and Burstow Hunt 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
Star, from Our Unfinished Revolution
By Alexander Calder
Located in Naples, Florida
Lithograph from the portfolio Our Unfinished Revolution Edition of 250 Signed and dated in the print Printed by Mourlot, Paris Published by Alba E...
Paper, Lithograph
The Belvoir Hunt 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
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