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One sheet Art Deco travel poster, created around
1930–1933, advertises the legendary Südbahnhotel Semmering in Austria.
The Artist: Hermann Kosel
The poster was designed by Hermann Kosel (1896–1983), a prominent Austrian poster artist and painter. Kosel studied under Julius Klinger and became known for his stylized, modern designs that captured the elegance of the Belle Époque and the sleekness of the Art Deco era. This specific work is considered one of his finest, depicting skiers in the foreground with the imposing grand hotel set against the snowy Alps.
History of the Südbahnhotel
Opening: It opened in 1882 as the "First Südbahnhotel" (or Hotel Semmering), commissioned by the Imperial-Royal Southern Railway Company to promote tourism along the rail line from Vienna to Trieste.
The "Place to Be": By the early 20th century, it became a cultural hotspot for high society. Famous guests included Sigmund Freud, Gustav Mahler, Oskar Kokoschka, and Queen Marie of Romania.
Architecture: The original building was designed by Wilhelm Ritter von Flattich in a "Swiss style". Later major additions, including a famous indoor swimming pool (1932), were designed by architects Emil Hoppe and Otto Schoenthal.
Current Status
After closing as a hotel in 1976, the building remained largely "sleeping" for decades, used primarily as a venue for cultural festivals like the Reichenauer Festspiele.
In January 2022, the property was acquired by entrepreneur Christian Zeller. It is currently undergoing revitalization to be restored as a year-round international art, culture, and event destination, with plans to eventually resume full hotel operations. |
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