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
$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
$796Sale Price|20% Off
H 11 in W 14 in
Charles Bragg, The Night Nurse, from Medical Suite I, 1969
By Charles Bragg
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Charles Bragg Title: The Night Nurse Year: 1969 Medium: Duotone lithograph Edition: 871/1000 Paper size: 11 x 14 inches overall (27.94 x 35.56 cm overall) Condition: Well pre...
Paper, Lithograph, Offset
$3,750
H 25 in W 19 in
Immagine Feroce by Enzo Cucchi, portfolio of mythological ocean scene drawings
By Enzo Cucchi
Located in New York, NY
Whimsical, mysterious seascapes, animals, and mythological figures weave throughout this expressive set of black and white Enzo Cucchi lithographs. The complete set of five lithograp...
Lithograph
$35,503
H 14.34 in W 14.97 in
Untitled (Cats in Bag) set of eleven colour photocopies Christopher Wool
By Christopher Wool
Located in Bristol, GB
Complete set of eleven laser photocopies in the original cloth-covered portfolio Edition 3 of 25 36.4 x 28 cm (each), (14.33 x 11.1 in) Signed and numbered on the accompanying portfo...
Linen, Paper, Laser
$9,425
H 30 in W 22.5 in
"Please, Mister, Don't Be Careless" Vintage Poster featuring Disney Characters
Located in Milwaukee, WI
Printed in 1943, by the U.S. Government Printing Office for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. The poster features the beloved Disney characters, Bambi (deer), Thumper (rabbit), and Flower (skunk) in wide-eyed shock leaning towards fear. With the slogan "Please, Mister, don't be careless" the poster is designed to tug at the heartstrings of the viewer and make them consider what actions they could take in their own lives to prevent forest fires. Poster: 20" x 14 1/4" Frame: 30" x 22 1/2" Framed to conservation standards with a 100% cotton fiber matboard border and UV clear glass that filters 99% of UV Rays. UV Rays can be especially damaging and cause fading to the inks used in poster making. All of these features are housed in a contemporary natural wood frame. Smokey Bear...
Lithograph
$1,250
H 24 in W 40 in
Brood Mare Pasture, Impressionist Lithograph by Millard Sheets
By Millard Sheets
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Millard Owen Sheets, American (1907 - 1989) Title: Brood Mare Pasture Year: circa 1977 Medium: Lithograph, signed in pencil Edition: 250, A...
Lithograph
Untitled lithograph by Hans Burkhardt
By Hans Burkhardt
Located in Hudson, NY
Abstract lithograph by Hans Burkhardt. Image is 7 3/4" x 6" and sheet size is 21" x 14 1/4". The edition is 3/5. Marked with both the artist's signature and date (H. Burkhardt 1975,...
Paper, Lithograph
$1,500
H 27 in W 38.5 in
Summer Gold, American Modern Lithograph by Millard Sheets
By Millard Sheets
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Millard Owen Sheets, American (1907 - 1989) Title: Summer Gold Medium: Lithograph on Arches, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 250, 5 HC Image Size: 20 x 30 inches Size:...
Lithograph
White Herons, Impressionist Lithograph by David Lee
By David Lee 3
Located in Long Island City, NY
David Lee, Chinese (1944 - ) - White Herons, Year: circa 1985, Medium: Lithograph, signed and numbered in pencil, Edition: 100, Size: 21 x 29 in. (53.34 x 73.66 cm), Descriptio...
Lithograph
$3,712
H 29.26 in W 19.26 in
100 Affiches Pablo Picasso Stone Lithograph Pablo Picasso
By Pablo Picasso
Located in Dubai, Dubai
100 Affiches Pablo Picasso Lithograph Poster Pablo Picasso was a Spanish painter, sculptor, and co-founder of the Cubist movement, which revolutionized European painting and sculptu...
Lithograph, Linen
Vintage French Lithograph - Village Scene
By Andre Trost
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage French lithograph of a rustic stone building and stairway with a figure in the shade of an alcove by artist Andre Trost, circa 1960....
Ink, Paper, Lithograph
French Lithograph - The Venue
Located in Houston, TX
Warmly hued French lithograph of couples dancing and enjoying live music at elegant venue by artist Torrallardona, circa 1960. Signed lower right and...
Ink, Lithograph, Paper
Evergreen, American Realist Lithograph by Chris Forrest
By Chris Forrest
Located in Long Island City, NY
Evergreen Chris Forrest, American (1946) Date: 1980 Lithograph, signed and numbered in pencil Edition of 300, AP 40 Image Size: 18 x 22 inches Size: 22 i...
Lithograph
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
Leopard Silhouette, Lithograph by Caroline Schultz
By Caroline Schultz
Located in Long Island City, NY
Leopard Silhouette Caroline Schultz, American (1936–2004) Date: 1979 Lithograph, signed and numbered in pencil Edition of AP 50 Image Size: 18 x 24 inches Size: 23 in. x 28 in. (58.4...
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