Vintage advertising poster Ludwig Hohlwein

MOTORING in GERMANY - car poster by Ludwig Hohlwein

Driving for Germany: A reprint of Ludwig Hohlwein's iconic advertising poster

At the beginning of the 20th century, the emergence of the automobile industry marked a significant cultural and economic change in Germany. As the nation embraced the idea of ​​the automobile as a pastime, automakers and advertisers capitalized on the trend by touting the automobile as a symbol of modernity and progress. One of the most notable examples of this phenomenon is Ludwig Hohlwein's Motoring for Germany, a hand-drawn promotional poster that captures the essence of the era.

The poster, created in 1912 for the German Automobile Club (DAC), shows a vintage car driving through a picturesque German landscape. Resembling a Mercedes or similar luxury model of the time, the car is rendered in bold black lines and filled with a rich shade of blue. The landscape, which is decorated in softer shades of green and brown, is reminiscent of the idyllic beauty of the German hinterland.

One of the most striking elements of the poster is the typography, which Hohlwein created with his unmistakable flair for design. The title "Autofahren für Deutschland" is written in bold, white letters that stand in stark contrast to the dark background. The DAC logo, a circle with the letters "DAC" in the middle, is prominently placed in the top left corner, while text at the bottom of the poster touts the benefits of membership in the club.

Ludwig Hohlwein was a well-known German graphic and poster designer who lived from 1874 to 1949. He began his career as a commercial artist in Munich and later set up his own studio where he produced posters, book covers and other forms of graphic design. Hohlwein's distinctive style combined elements of Art Nouveau, Art Deco and traditional German folk art, and his work was highly influential in the field of advertising.

In addition to his contributions to poster art, Hohlwein was also a prolific illustrator and painter. He created portraits, landscapes and still lifes in which he demonstrated his skill for composition, color and texture. Despite his success and reputation as one of Germany's leading designers, Hohlwein fell out of favor with the Nazi regime in the 1930s due to his liberal political views and Jewish ancestry.

Today, Ludwig Hohlwein's "Car Driving for Germany" poster is a coveted collector's item that embodies the spirit of a bygone era. The poster has been reprinted numerous times over the years, and each new edition lets the public experience the beauty and power of Hohlwein's design. Whether viewed as a historical artifact or a work of art, Motoring for Germany captivates and inspires viewers with its timeless appeal.

Two interesting facts about Ludwig Hohlwein and this drawing are:

Hohlwein designed numerous posters for the Nazi party during its rise in the 1930s, but his relationship with the regime deteriorated after he refused to join the Reich Chamber of Culture and was subsequently banned from exhibiting his work.

The original version of Motoring for Germany contained both German and English texts, reflecting the international appeal of the German Automobile Club and its promotion of the automobile as a global phenomenon.

German Motor Racing Poster - Vintage Wall Art - Art Deco Print - Art Deco Illustration

All posters are sold WITHOUT a frame. Colors may vary slightly from monitor to monitor. Any size is available: do not hesitate to request a custom order.

Sizes in cm.

• Paper thickness: 0.26 mm
• Paper weight: 189 gsm
• Opacity: 94%
• ISO Brightness: 104%
• Giclée print quality
• 21cm×30cm posters are A4 size
• Raw product sourced from Japan

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Our (your) posters are printed on demand and require a production time of approximately 1-2 working days. All posters are rolled with care and shipped in a protective tube. You can then monitor the shipping and delivery time in tracking mode at any time.

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