Chur-Arosa Bahn

Designer Overview
Emil Cardinaux

1877 - 1936

Switzerland

With a developed passion for drawing and painting at a young age, Cardinaux chose to pursue his artistic background and left his life of studying law at the University of Berne. In 1898, Cardinaux studied art under Franz von Stuck of Munich Secession, an art academy independent from the mainstream Munich artists. Following some time spent working at Stuck’s studio, Cardinaux’s work grew into a wide variety of media: illustrated books, mono cards, printed materials and most famously poster designs.

Inspired by the French Avant-Garde and Impressionist of Paris, Cardinaux furthered his passions gained international attention through his mountain landscapes of the country. It was the newly attained knowledge of lithography that allowed Cardinaux to further develop successful poster design. Cardinaux’s posters became a staple of tourism advertising and encapsulated the representation of Switzerland.