Fine Art

Henry-Claudius Forestier – Poster for the Nationale Kunstausstellung der Schweiz 1910 (SOLD)

Virtual mockup of this poster shown to scale in an elegant setting. Frame and mat shown in this illustration are not part of the original antique poster.

Beautiful brightly colored original folk costume poster designed by Geneva-artist Henry-Claudius Forestier for the 1920 National Art Exhibition of Switzerland.
German text reads:  X. Nationale Ausstelling der Schweiz Zuerich Kunsthaus 31 Juli 1910 20 Sept.
The poster was produced in the other languages of Switzerland.

Dimensions: 73 x 107 cm

Henry-Claudius Forestier

February, 25 1874 in Chêne-Bougeries - May 21, 1922, Meyrin

Also known as: Henri-Claudius Forestier


Self Portrait of Henry-Claudius Forestier from the book R-L. Piachaud, Le portrait d’un peintre 1923

Henry-Claudius Forestier studied at the École des Arts industriels in Geneva, where he took the woodcut class taught by Alfred Martin. His classmates were  Jules Fontanez und Édouard Vallet.   After a five year stay in Paris, Forestier returned to his home canton of Geneva, where he spent most of the rest of his life.

He contributed widely to illustrated magazines, and satirical reviews and is known for his striking poster designs featuring folk festivals and Swiss traditional costumes.   When the Swiss national exhibition took place in Geneva in 1896, Forestier worked with Hodler to create the friezes for the Theatre Sapajou used for a Chinese shadow show.  Later in life he turned increasingly to painting colorful exuberant floral bouquets as well as landscapes of the Geneva countryside.

Living modestly in Meyrin with his family, later in his life, he died in 1922 at the young age of 48, struck down by a cerebral hemorrhage while painting in plein air near his home.  The Musée Rath exhibited a retrospective of his work one year after his death.