Thun Lido Suisse Circa 1940

This rare circa 1940 original travel poster by Etienne Clare celebrates the lakeside beauty of Thun, a historic town nestled in the Bernese Oberland of Switzerland. Designed with a striking modernist approach, Clare depicts the imposing medieval Thun Castle with its iconic red rooftops rising above the old town, set against the tranquil blue waters of Lake Thun and the distant majesty of the Alps.

The composition balances architectural grandeur and natural serenity. Clare’s stylised geometric forms and deep, saturated colours evoke Swiss poster design’s transition from romantic realism to simplified modern elegance during the 1930s-40s. The castle stands illuminated in warm ochres, surrounded by sharp pine silhouettes and the glowing Lido swimming complex, a symbol of leisure and health that defined Swiss tourism imagery in the pre-war era.

This poster was part of the Swiss National Tourist Office’s effort to attract visitors to its lakes and spas, promoting Thun as a destination where history, alpine panoramas, and modern recreation merged harmoniously. The Lido itself was renowned for its lakeside pools, sun terraces, and views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks, promising both relaxation and adventure.

Etienne Clare, active mid-century, specialised in Swiss and alpine travel posters marked by clarity, architectural sensitivity, and atmospheric colour palettes. His work embodied Switzerland’s marketing ethos of clean, uplifting visual communication.

Printed in lithograph and signed in the plate “Clare,” this original remains a testament to the golden age of Swiss travel art. Today, it is a prized collector’s piece, ideal for interiors celebrating mid-century modern design, alpine culture, or historic travel ephemera.

Tourisme - Suisse

Printed by Casserini Aebi in Thun

Bon état