Herbert Leupin (1916–1999) was a Swiss graphic designer renowned for his innovative and humorous approach to poster art. Born in Beinwil am See, Switzerland, he studied at the Kunstgewerbeschule in Basel from 1932 to 1935 and furthered his education at the École Paul Colin in Paris in 1936. In 1938, he established his own studio in Basel, quickly gaining recognition for his distinctive style.
Leupin was a leading exponent of the “Sachplakat” or “Object Poster” style, which emphasizes realistic depictions of products with minimal background detail. His work often featured anthropomorphized animals and playful visual puns, bringing a sense of humor and charm to commercial advertising.
Throughout his career, Leupin created over 500 posters, earning numerous accolades, including 89 awards from the Swiss Poster of the Year competitions. His work was featured in prestigious exhibitions worldwide, including the documenta III in Kassel in 1964 and the Ginza Graphic Gallery in Tokyo in 1998. In his later years, he also illustrated children’s books and pursued painting.
Enjoy this striking selection of 1940s advertising posters by Herbert Leupin.
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