ePoster Gallery 1/2026
Spring – symbol of vitality, fertility and rebirt
The very word "spring" conjures up images of mild air, sunshine and blossoming flowers of all kinds: nature awakens and seems to rejoice in itself. This annually recurring miracle is also used in culture as a metaphor for vitality, fertility and rebirth. The magazine of the Vienna Secession art movement, for example, was called Ver Sacrum (Latin for "sacred spring"), inspired by ancient Roman rituals, because it wanted to symbolise the renewal of art. Politically and socially, too, spring is a symbol of explosive power; examples include political protest and reform movements such as the Prague Spring and the Arab Spring. The season demonstrates that the world can change in an instant. A necessary change that has long been disbelieved could take place overnight, so to speak. May the approaching spring breeze and warm rays of sunshine allow nature to blossom and give us the courage to stand up for a better world.
Alessia Contin, curator of the poster collection at the Museum für Gestaltung Zürich, unveils her favourite poster from the virtual exhibition "Spring – symbol of vitality, fertility and rebirth".
Donald Brun, Frühlingsfahrten, 1945
"Donald Brun's gracefully floating lamb, designed in 1945 for the Swiss Tourist Office, exudes an infectious lightness and cheerfulness. Few tourism posters have achieved similar popularity. As an early advertiser, Bruns is not interested in a personal signature, but in the successful communication of the message. He achieves this masterfully with the jumping lamb, which touches the viewer emotionally. In 1945, however, it is not only seen as an announcement of spring. It also stands for a new beginning and rebirth after years of war and catastrophe."
Alessia Contin, curator of the poster collection at the Museum für Gestaltung Zürich
Ferdinand Hodler
Secession – Ver Sacrum
1904
Paul Nyffenegger
Berner Oberland
1932
Unbekannt
Junior Bazaar
1947
Donald Brun
Frühlingsfahrten
1945
Unbekannt
Bildquelle: Adolphe Mouron Cassandre
Il dolce che sa di primavera – Colomba Motta
ca. 1950
Karl Schlegel
Pralinés-Osterpackungen und unsere guten Schokoladen
ca. 1935-1940
Unbekannt
Die Schweizer Garten und Lifestyle Messe – Giardina Zürich
2004
Hans Aeschbach
Vacances de printemps
1945
Franco Barberis
Primavera in Svizzera
1940
Mixer / Erich Brechbüh
Frühlingserwachen – Jugendtheater Sempach
2004
Hans Falk
Ferien
1942
Herbert Leupin
Jedem sein Ostergeschenk vom Globus
1945
Augusto Giacometti
Die schöne Schweiz
1930
Exem
Fête du Printemps
1989
TBS & Partner / Daniel Leber
Foto: Daniela Kienzler
Das Abo-Gefühl. Luzerner Theater
2011
Studio Geissbühler / Nadine Geissbühler
Illustration: François Berthoud
Ballett Zürich – Forellenquintett
2014
Hans Looser AG Werbeagentur Zürich / Hans Looser
Blumen zu Ostern
1947
Studio Geissbühler / Nadine Geissbühler
Illustration: François Berthoud
Die Zauberflöte – Opernhaus Zürich
2014
Hans Looser AG Werbeagentur Zürich / Hans Looser
Blumen zu Ostern
1950
Karl Bickel
Badrutt's Palace Hotel – St. Moritz
1933
Poster collection, Museum für Gestaltung Zürich
The poster collection at the Museum für Gestaltung Zürich is one of the most comprehensive and important archives of its kind in the world. It contains around 350,000 objects, with about 150,000 catalogued, all documenting the national and international history of the poster from its origins in the mid-19th century to the present day. The collection includes political, cultural and commercial posters. Their diversity of historical, thematic and geographic subjects results in both a panorama of poster art and a glimpse into a visual archive of day-to-day life. Some of the posters are available to view in the museum’s online database: www.emuseum.ch. This database is constantly being expanded.
Rights
The images in this online exhibition are part of the Museum für Gestaltung Zürich’s digital poster collection and are for illustration purposes only. Publication of the images or other commercial use for the benefit of third parties is not permitted without the permission of the copyright holders. For information on ordering image templates: sammlungen@museum-gestaltung.ch