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"Very nice Posters. The quality is amazing and we received it very quickly !"
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"A shop to visit absolutely. Huge selection of posters. We spent more than an hour there !"
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"Perfect to find gift. Price are very good. An they can frame and pack it on site"
About the Artist
Ludwig Hohlwein was a pioneering figure in early 20th century German poster design, renowned for transforming commercial advertising into a form of modern graphic art. Based in Munich, Hohlwein developed a distinctive visual language characterized by bold shapes and striking contrasts, which became influential across Europe. His posters are now appreciated both as milestones in design history and as decorative art with enduring appeal.
If you are interested in the legacy of European poster art, discover more in our famous artists posters and vintage advertising prints collections.
The Artwork
Created in 1912, this poster was commissioned to promote the Munich Zoological Garden at a time when city zoos represented progress, education, and civic pride. Such posters served as public invitations, encouraging families and visitors to experience exotic wildlife firsthand—an exciting prospect in an era when travel abroad was rare. Hohlwein’s design distilled the spirit of the zoo into a memorable emblem, reflecting both the aspirations of the institution and the growing role of graphic design in shaping urban culture.
This work also marks a period when posters became essential tools for communicating modern leisure and entertainment in bustling European cities.
Style & Characteristics
This vintage poster features a commanding striped big cat, likely a tiger, rendered in Hohlwein’s signature style with simplified forms and dramatic contrast. The composition is dominated by warm orange and deep black, set against a light beige background, creating an eye-catching effect. Minimal detail and confident contours ensure the image reads powerfully even from a distance, while crisp, clean typography anchors the design below.
The overall mood is bold and theatrical, embodying the early modernist approach that defined German poster art of the era.
In Interior Design
As wall art, this 1912 animal-themed poster makes a striking statement in living rooms, offices, hallways, or libraries. Its graphic clarity pairs beautifully with modern and mid-century interiors, as well as spaces featuring industrial materials like wood, leather, or metal. The orange, black, and beige color scheme complements warm neutrals and terracotta, and it works harmoniously alongside other wildlife pieces from our animals wall art collection.