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 Antique Swiss Travel Poster Palace Hotel St Moritz Golf Emil Cardinaux
By Emile Cardinaux
Located in London, GB
Original antique travel poster for the Palace Hotel St. Moritz Switzerland featuring a stunning design by the notable Swiss artist Emil Cardinaux (1877-1936) depicting guests enjoyin...
Paper
Original Antique Swiss 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
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
$1,998
H 40.16 in W 24.81 in D 0.04 in
Original Vintage Swiss Travel Poster, Interlaken, Mountains and Ski, 1950
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Original Vintage Poster-Suisse-Interlaken-Montagne-Ski, c.1950 Poster to promote tourism in the city of Interlaken during the summer period (April to October). Additional detai...
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
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
$1,450
H 34.6 in W 22.4 in D 0.1 in
THE ORIENT IS HONG KONG BRITISH CROWN COLONY Original Vintage Travel Poster
By Dong Kingman
Located in Chicago, IL
THE ORIENT IS HONG KONG - BRITISH CROWN COLONY Rare authentic original vintage travel poster Artist: Dong Kingman Condition: A- Dimensions: 22.4 x 34.6 in. / 57 x 88 cm. Circa: 1961 ...
Paper
$1,700
H 42.3 in W 30.7 in D 0.1 in
DAUPHINE - PARIS-LYON-MEDITERRANE Antique Original Vintage Rail Travel Poster
By Roger Soubie
Located in Chicago, IL
DAUPHINE - CHEMINS DE FER PARIS-LYON-MEDITERRANEE Rare authentic original vintage antique French railroad and travel and tourism poster Artist: Roger Soubie Condition: A- Dimensions: 30.7 x 42.3 in. / 78 x 107.5 cm. Circa: 1925 Linen Backed There are two restored punch holes in the right margin; some minor surface scratches/abrasions; some margin creasing; this wonderful French travel poster should display beautifully once framed. A sweeping Alpine landscape from the Chartreuse massif featuring the Pic de Chamechaude rising in warm orange and pink above dark forested slopes, a small village and country houses nestled in the valley below, and a winding road disappearing into the trees. The color palette is unusual and striking: that pink-to-orange mountain against a pale sky gives it a warmth that sets it apart from the more typical cool-toned Alpine poster...
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
$1,700
H 33.7 in W 22 in D 0.1 in
DARTMOUTH WINTER CARNIVAL 1941 Original Vintage Skiing Winter Sports Ski Poster
Located in Chicago, IL
DARTMOUTH WINTER CARNIVAL 1941 Rare authentic original vintage midcentury poster Artist: Bob Smallman Condition: A/A- Dimensions: 22 x 33.7 in. / 56.3 x 85.5 cm. Circa: 1941 Linen Ba...
Paper
$3,549Sale Price|35% Off
H 40 in W 25 in D 0.1 in
Art Deco "Wengen" Swiss Travel Colour Photo-Montage Lithograph Poster Hans Thoni
By Hans Thöni
Located in Reading, Berkshire
"Wengen" An Exquisite Swiss Travel Colour Photo-Montage Lithograph Poster Print from 1938 By Acclaimed Photographer Ernst Bocchetti & Designer Hans Thoni 'Wengen Switzerland' in...
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
$4,700
H 39.4 in W 24.4 in D 0.1 in
PARIS Original Vintage Antique French Art Deco Travel Tourism Poster CASSANDRE
By Adolphe Mouron Cassandre
Located in Chicago, IL
PARIS - CHEMINS DE FER FRANCAIS Rare authentic original vintage French art deco travel and tourism poster Artist: Adolph Mouron Cassandre Condition: B+ Dimensions: 24.4 x 39.4 in. / ...
Paper
AIR-INDIA - MOSCOW Original Vintage Airline Travel Poster
Located in Chicago, IL
AIR-INDIA - MOSCOW Rare authentic original vintage airline travel poster Artist: Walter Grieder Condition: A/A- Dimensions: 25.2 x 39.2 in. / 64 x 99.5...
Paper
1960 Psycho Original Vintage Poster
Located in Winchester, GB
Arguably the greatest and most famous film from arguably the greatest and most famous director, "Psycho" was released in 1960 and became Alfred Hitchcock's biggest box office hit. The first "slasher" film from the Master of Suspense starred Anthony Perkins...
Linen, Paper
Sold
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
Sold
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