Swiss National Exhibition – 1914

This is an image of the poster for the 1914 Swiss National Exhibition, which was held in Bern from May to October of that year.

The poster was created by the Swiss painter and poster artist Emil Cardinaux. His design, which included a “green horse,” was considered an “affront” by the more conservative public of the time, but was praised by the avant-garde as a bold idea. It is now considered one of the most important works in the history of Swiss posters.

The 1914 exhibition was Switzerland’s third national exhibition, and it coincided with the beginning of World War I. The army pavilion at the exhibition highlighted Switzerland’s commitment to armed neutrality.

The poster features a man on horseback, holding a flag, with the mountains and city of Bern in the background. The text on the poster reads “SCHWEIZERISCHE LANDESAUSSTELLUNG BERN 1914 MAI-OKT.”