Vorarlberg (c.1960s)
Year: Undated (c.1960s)
Format: Leaflet
Illustrator: Josef (Peppi) Hanser (1929-2010)
Client: Landesverband für Fremdenverkehr (National Association for Tourism in Vorarlberg)
Details: The National Association for Tourism (Landesverband für Fremdenverkehr) published this leaflet to promote Vorarlberg in Austria as a tourist destination and ski resort. The artwork is undated but looks early 1960s. It is signed and credited to Hanser, Bludenz. I have identified this credit as commercial artist and painter Josef (Peppi) Hanser (1929-2010).
From a biography found at designaustria.at, I learned that Josef Hanser grew up in Bludenz, Austria, alongside nine siblings in modest circumstances. Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany in 1938 - despite the risks, Hanser refused to become a member of the Hitler Youth. He pursued an art education at the Innsbruck School of Crafts in 1943, which he was only able to complete after the end of WWII.
Hanser started his graphic design career in 1953, mainly creating posters for Vorarlberg's culture and tourism sector. In addition to working as a commercial artist, he was also a painter. He organised numerous art exhibitions and promoted the work of other artists. He was also involved in social and community work and led painting courses for prisoners.
Hanser, a member of various art associations, was frustrated by his diminishing eyesight in later years. Shortly before his passing, he ended a handwritten CV with the words: "Now sick and tired".
Many of his poster works are held in the Plakatsammlung Wirtschaftsarchiv Vorarlberg (Poster Collection Economic Archive Vorarlberg) and can be searched for and viewed online at https://vfind.vorarlberg.at.