{"product_id":"ap_23581","title":"Belgium Circa 1950","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"96\" data-end=\"356\"\u003eThis elegant circa 1950 travel poster for Belgium, designed by Conrad, is a refined example of postwar European graphic design. Created to promote tourism, it distills the country’s architectural heritage and scenic charm into a single, harmonious composition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"358\" data-end=\"719\"\u003eAt the center of the image, a stylized cluster of buildings rises like a dreamlike skyline, combining recognizable elements of Belgian cities—Gothic spires, medieval towers, and historic facades. These forms evoke places such as Bruges, Ghent, and Brussels, not through precise representation, but through a poetic synthesis that captures their shared identity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"721\" data-end=\"1089\"\u003eThe composition is both modern and timeless. Clean geometric shapes and flat areas of color reflect the influence of mid-century design, while the subject matter remains rooted in history. The soft green background creates a calm, inviting atmosphere, allowing the brighter architectural elements—yellows, blues, blacks, and reds—to stand out with clarity and balance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1091\" data-end=\"1394\"\u003eIn the lower portion, subtle landscape details extend the narrative beyond the cities: a bridge, waterways, and open countryside suggest Belgium’s diversity, from urban heritage to pastoral beauty. A small figure in motion adds a sense of life and movement, reinforcing the idea of travel and discovery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1396\" data-end=\"1634\"\u003eTypography plays a restrained but essential role. The word “BELGIUM,” set in large, elegant serif letters, anchors the composition without overwhelming it, reflecting the understated sophistication typical of the period’s tourism posters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1636\" data-end=\"1949\"\u003eProduced in the years following the Second World War, this poster belongs to a broader effort to reintroduce European destinations to international travelers. Rather than relying on photographic realism, it embraces stylization and idealization, presenting Belgium as both culturally rich and visually harmonious.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1951\" data-end=\"2205\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eToday, Conrad’s \u003cem data-start=\"1967\" data-end=\"1976\"\u003eBelgium\u003c\/em\u003e poster stands as a beautiful example of mid-century travel advertising—where modern design meets historical inspiration, and where a nation is conveyed through a carefully crafted visual impression rather than literal depiction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOriginal Poster\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTourism - Belgium\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBelgian Tourist Office\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003ePrinted by Ch. Bulens in Brussels\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGood condition, minor restorations\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Conrad","offers":[{"title":"98 x 60 \/ A  \/ On Linen","offer_id":53552882811207,"sku":null,"price":700.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0564\/9275\/3081\/files\/AP_23581Insta2.jpg?v=1774610553","url":"https:\/\/galerie1881.com\/en\/products\/ap_23581","provider":"Galerie 1881","version":"1.0","type":"link"}