Baviere 1957

This elegant original 1957 lithographic poster was commissioned by the German National Tourist Office in Paris to promote travel to Bavaria (“Bavière” in French). It captures the region’s essence through a modernist lens: bold, geometric shapes, clean lines, and a vibrant color palette evoke the architectural and natural richness of southern Germany.

The composition is a vivid montage of Bavarian landmarks — domed towers, gothic church spires, medieval gates, and the serene Alpine backdrop — with sailboats gently skimming the surface of a stylized lake. The interplay of deep reds, pastel blues, and forest greens conveys both harmony and energy, characteristic of 1950s European travel design. The simplified forms and flat color fields reflect the postwar design shift toward clarity, optimism, and accessibility.

Printed in Paris in 1957, this poster would have appeared in travel agencies and tourism offices throughout France, encouraging holidaymakers to rediscover Bavaria’s cultural and natural beauty amid the broader climate of European reconciliation and renewed curiosity.

Today, it stands as a fine example of mid-century graphic design and postwar tourism promotion, its stylized aesthetic as collectible as it is decorative.

Tourism - Germany

J. Himmer Augsburg

Bon état, traces de plis, petites déchirures restaurées