Designed in 1937 by Swiss artist Plinio Colombi, this evocative travel poster was commissioned to promote the breathtaking railway journey through the Bernese Alps via the Lötschberg and Simplon routes. Published during the golden age of rail travel, the image captures both the majesty of the Swiss landscape and the marvel of engineering that brought these remote vistas within reach.
Colombi, a master of alpine composition, depicts a red electric locomotive emerging from a tunnel and winding through the mountainous terrain beneath snow-capped peaks and dramatic cliffs. The composition balances technical precision with romanticized natural beauty, making it not only an effective piece of promotion but also a timeless work of graphic art.
The Lötschberg route was an essential link in the north–south European transit corridor, connecting Bern to Italy via the Simplon Pass. This poster would have appealed to both tourists seeking scenic adventure and modern travelers attracted by the promise of speed and comfort in an era of rail innovation.
Now a sought-after collector’s item, this lithograph stands as a proud example of Swiss graphic design and alpine travel culture, embodying the optimism, craftsmanship, and grandeur of pre-war European railway advertising.
Railway - Switzerland - Tourism
Printed by Kunstanstalt Brugger AG in Meiringen
Good condition
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