St Gothard, Suisse

A rare piece celebrating the conquest of the Alps through electricity

This vintage poster is one of those graphic treasures capable of telling, on its own, a story of technical revolution, iconic landscapes, and a powerful leap into modernity. Produced around 1920 by the Orell Füssli Institute in Zurich, it proudly announced a decisive breakthrough: the electrification of the Saint-Gotthard railway line, the legendary axis linking northern and southern Europe across the Swiss Alps.

Majestic Alpine aesthetics

The visual impact is immediate. A streamlined train crosses a monumental stone viaduct, suspended above the void, while the Alps rise in soft blue silhouettes beneath a luminous golden sky. The composition is dramatic, almost cinematic, magnifying both the architecture and the technical prowess.
The palette of browns, gold, and alpine blue gives the artwork a mineral, timeless aura — a tribute to the grandeur of the mountains and to the boldness of the line that pierces them.

A manifesto of Swiss modernity

The inscription “Electric Traction Now!” leaves no doubt: this is an image of progress, a declaration of efficiency and technological mastery. In the 1920s, electrifying the Gotthard line was a major step forward, improving speed, safety, and comfort on one of Europe’s most demanding railway routes.
This poster captures that pride. It embodies the energy and optimism of an era profoundly confident in innovation — a hallmark of Swiss railway advertising.