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 Vintage Poster Teppichhaus Schuster St Gallen & Zurich Orient Carpets
By Emile Cardinaux
Located in London, GB
Original vintage carpet advertising poster for Teppichhaus Schuster & Co St Gallen & Zurich Switzerland featuring an Oriental style design depicting a lady playing music on a stringed instrument and a man reclining...
Paper
1978 Grease Original Vintage Poster
Located in Winchester, GB
Released in 1978 and based on the 1971 musical of the same name, "Grease" was a huge critical and commercial success. With iconic songs and set pieces, the summer love story between ...
Paper
$544Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.94 in W 18.71 in D 0.04 in
Original Vintage Poster by Bernard Buffet May 1958 Original Vintage Poster
By Bernard Buffet
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Original vintage poster by Bernard Buffet May 1958.
Paper
1936 Marihuana Original Vintage Poster
Located in Winchester, GB
This stunning poster was created in 1936 to promote Dwain Esper's exploitation film "Marihuana - The Weed With Roots in Hell". The film, which has gone on to become a cult classic, c...
Linen, Paper
1970 Woodstock Original Vintage Poster
By Richard Amsel
Located in Winchester, GB
Perhaps the most famous music festival of all time, Woodstock was held between August 15-18th in 1969. Featuring an all-star lineup including Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Grateful Dea...
Linen, Paper
$2,224
H 62.6 in W 46.86 in D 0.4 in
Marton, Original Vintage Wine Poster, Geisweiler Burgundy Nuits St Georges, 1925
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Original Poster-Marton-Geisweiler Burgundy Wine-Nuits St Georges, c.1925 Poster for the promotion of Geisweiler wine produced in the Burgundy region.Geisweiler is a French sparkling wine. Founded in 1804 by François Geisweiler, the cellar is one of the oldest in Burgundy. Geisweiler is still available nowadays. Additional Details: Materials and Techniques: Colour lithograph on paper Color: Beige, Black, Red , Green Features: Signed Subject: Wine Original/Licensed Reprint: Original Style: Art Deco...
Paper
1972 Carpano Original Vintage Poster
By Achille Luciano Mauzan
Located in Winchester, GB
Carpano is named after Antonio Benedetto Carpano who, in 1786, invented the modern day vermouth in Turin. This Carpano vermouth was so popular that the store needed to be open 24 hours a day to cope with demand. The Carpano brand is still produced today, nearly 250 years later. The piece has fantastic artwork from French poster artist Achille Luciano Mauzan...
Paper
1919 Peugeot Original Vintage Poster
By Rene Vincent
Located in Winchester, GB
Beautiful lithograph poster originally designed in 1919. Designed by the great poster artist Rene Vincent, this poster promotes Peugeot cars and depicts an early 20th century model s...
Linen, Paper
1964 Goldfinger Original Vintage Poster
Located in Winchester, GB
Released in 1964, "Goldfinger" is the third outing of Sean Connery as James Bond. One of the absolutely quintessential Bond films, and one of the most iconic movies of all time, the film is based on Ian Fleming's 1959 novel of the same name. This beautiful piece of cinema and poster history is in absolutely fantastic condition and is one of the most sought after & rare James Bond posters. Featuring Robert Brownjohn's legendary composite photography design depicting Connery's Bond and Pussy Galore within Shirley...
Linen, Paper
1976 Bergasol Original Vintage Poster
By Bernard Villemot
Located in Winchester, GB
This gorgeous lithograph poster from 1976 was designed by the iconic poster and graphic designer Bernard Villemot. Best known for his collaborations with the likes of Bally, Air Fran...
Linen, Paper
1957 Grainau Original Vintage Poster
Located in Winchester, GB
Beautiful vibrant poster from 1957 promoting the ski resort of Grainau in Bavaria in Germany. Sat at the foot of the Zugspitze mountain, it is known as "Das Zugspitzdorf" or "The Zug...
Paper
1963 Rope Original Vintage Poster
Located in Winchester, GB
The incomparable Alfred Hitchcock released "Rope" in 1948, based on the 1929 play of the same name. The classic film stars the iconic James Stewart, also known for his roles in other...
Paper
1952 Cinzano Original Vintage Poster
By Jean Colin
Located in Winchester, GB
Dating back to 1757, Cinzano is an iconic brand synonymous with the likes of Casanova. A family run business until 1985 (now owned by Campari), the famous vermouth drink from Turin i...
Paper
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H 49.22 in W 35.44 in D 0.04 in
Original Antique Winter Travel Poster Palace Hotel St Moritz Switzerland
By Emile Cardinaux
Located in London, GB
Original antique winter travel poster for the Palace Hotel St. Moritz Switzerland featuring a stunning design by the notable Swiss artist Emil Cardinaux (1877-1936) depicting a group...
Paper
Sold
H 50.4 in W 35.83 in D 0.04 in
Original Vintage Poster Schweizerische Bundesbahnen Swiss Federal Railway Travel
By Emile Cardinaux
Located in London, GB
Original vintage railway travel advertising poster for Swiss Federal Railways / Schweizerische Bundesbahnen - featuring stunning artwork by Emil Cardinaux (1877-1936) depicting a scenic view of a red electric train...
Paper
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H 50.4 in W 36.03 in D 0.04 in
Rare Original Antique Winter Sport Ski Travel Poster for St. Moritz Switzerland
By Emile Cardinaux
Located in London, GB
Rare original antique winter sport travel poster for St. Moritz in Switzerland, one of the early and most sought after winter sports posters, featuring ...
Paper