Vintage Posters Designed by Peter Birkhäuser in the 1940s and ’50s

Born 1911 in Basel, Peter Birkhäuser was a Swiss poster artist, portraitist, and visionary painter, noted for his paintings illustrating imagery from dreams in the context of analytical psychology.

Posters designed by Peter Birkhäuser in the 1940s and ’50s

In his early career as an artist, Birkhäuser produced still-life and landscape paintings, ex libris plates, stamps, cartoons for the satirical magazine Nebelspalter, posters, and portraits.

His new works were not well received by the Swiss art community, and it took several years before they would achieve sufficient recognition to provide Birkhäuser and his wife with a satisfactory income. Most of the initial support for his new work came from a younger audience, largely based in the U.S.

In 1971, his wife of 32 years died, and he developed a serious lung complaint. Nevertheless, he produced a number of his most significant paintings in the last five years of his life.

Birkhäuser died in Binningen in 1976, aged 65. Here below is a set of vintage photos that shows posters designed by Peter Birkhäuser in the 1940s and 1950s.

Bülach, 1934

Feba Tinte, 1941

Fiera Svizzera Basilea, April 1941

Eau de Cologne Jean-Marie Farina de Roger Gallet, 1942

Pour tous vos achats, Rheinbrücke, Bâle, circa 1942

Wer rechnet, kauft im Globus, 1942

Aide Suisse aux Tuberculeux, 1943

Fernet-Branca, 1943

Hisco, Warme Tricotwäsche, circa 1943

The Collar Permastyff with the Durable Shirt, 1943

Surux tötet Ratten und Mäuse, circa 1945

Bata (galoshes), 1947

Bata Möhlin AG, 1947

Bata, 1947

Argo Stockings, 1949

Advertising poster for Durable brand shirts, 1951

Schweizer Mustermesse Basel, April 1951

Sandales Bata, 1952

Nos postes valent bien un oui, 1953

BATA, veritable cousu-trépointe, 1954

Bata, semelle caoutchouc 6 mois de garantie, 1956

Bier (green glove). Advertising poster for the Swiss Brewery Association, 1957

Bier (red gloved hand). Advertising poster for the Swiss Brewery Association, 1957

CFF votre voiture, 1957

Dessert 7, Wermli, 1957

Sonntagsbillette, einfach für retour mit der Bahn, 1959