Franz Lenhart Biography |
Franz J. Lenhart (1898-1992) originated from Kufstein, studied in Vienna and Florence and in 1922 settled in Meran as a young graphic designer. Just two years later he achieved a breakthrough with his poster for Enit, the Italian national tourism agency: his "Visitate le Dolomiti" soon appeared all over Italy.
By 1930 at the latest Lenhart had discovered his own style: in the background mountains were usually visible, while in the foreground appeared dynamic skiers or elegant women radiating strongly erotic tones. Lenhart's posters showed South Tyrol not as the land of Andreas Hofer, but as a sophisticated leisure paradise. Lenhart originals soon became sought-after rarities. Vintage Posters created include: Dolomites - 1937 Merano - 1934 Cortina - 1934 Aquilgia - c. 1930 Modiano - c1935 Chasse au lion dans l'oasis de Bima Badgastein - c1935 Siusi allo Sciliar - 1950 Sommer in den Dolomiten - 1938 Merano - Dolomiti - Gardone - Venezia -c1936 Grand Hôtel Carezza al Lago - c1950 Winter Sport in Intalien - 1934 Madonna - c1950 Cortina, E le sue piste di Dicesa in sci -c1935 Les sports d'hiver en Italie - c1930 Cortina, All Winter Joys - c1955 Tyrol, Wagner' Sche Univ., Buchdruckerei Innsbruck Cortina, Nel cuore delle Dolomiti - c1930 Mathias Hutter, Deposito Borsalino Modiano, Cartine e Tubetti per Sigarette - c 1936 Modiano, Carte da Gioco di Fama Mondiale - 1935 Cortina, Ski, Hockey - c1920 |