WELCOME TO DENMARK POSTER

This is an original lithograph by Danish artist Kaj Matthiessen (1929-1986) inviting visitors to Denmark. With a simple design focusing on five figures (plus two animals and a fish), this poster advertises Denmark's rich cultural history and the diverse interests and occupations of its citizens, rather than promoting the country's beautiful landscapes and historic structures.

And what interesting people they are! On the left is a musician dressed in medieval garb, playing a Danish lur (the long horn). Next to him is an actor dressed in black, reciting the famous soliloquy beginning, "To be or not to be" from Hamlet, Shakespeare's play about the Prince of Denmark. Next to him is a palace guard in full uniform. A farmer's wife in old-world garb, being nuzzled by her ox and sitting on her pig while she holds a fish on her lap, sits in the foreground.  She provides a sharp contrast to the only other female in the picture - a woman in sunglasses wearing modern clothing and leaning on her bike.  Perhaps she's a native of Denmark, or more likely, she's an American tourist who has enjoyed cycling through Denmark and meeting all these wonderfully unique Danish citizens. The message is universal: visit our country, sample our culture, meet our citizens and you will fall in love with Denmark!

Its's a simple and powerful message.  If you collect vintage travel posters, this is one you will want to own.

Condition: A