◇ Chamonix

A celebration of winter athleticism, Chamonix Mont-Blanc: Tous les Sports d’Hiver immerses viewers in the kinetic thrill of hockey. Set against a bold, snow-capped backdrop, the scene captures a heated moment on the ice, with players locked in  and spectators focused on the situation. The composition shows movement, patriotism, and camaraderie and the curves on ice are echoed in the sweeping arcs of the French tricolor overhead. It is triumphant portrait of early 20th-century winter leisure.

Why We Picked It
This piece is excellent as it shows masterful use of color, rhythm, and spatial layering. Roger Broders’ stylized figures, marked by strong diagonals and contrasting blocks of color, guide the eye dynamically across the ice. The bold red-and-white uniforms echo the French flags that ribbon through the sky, reinforcing a sense of national pride and visual cohesion. The balance between geometric architecture and fluid human forms elevates the work from just poster art.

Notable Context
Commissioned during the French travel poster heyday, this image promotes Chamonix as a premier winter destination shortly after it hosted the first Winter Olympic Games in 1924. The Alps, already mythologized in Romantic art and literature, became symbols of both modern recreation and national identity. The composition embraces Art Deco’s streamlined forms and strong symmetry, while also aligning with France’s broader cultural investment in athleticism, tourism, and visual modernity. It is a reflection of how nations framed leisure as cultural prestige.

About the Artist
Roger Broders (1883–1953) was a Parisian illustrator renowned for his iconic travel posters that helped shape early 20th-century visual culture in France. Working closely with railway companies and tourism boards, Broders captured the spirit of destinations like the Côte d’Azur, the Alps, and Provence with sleek compositions, vivid palettes, and carefully structured perspectives. His work exemplifies the harmony between artistic style and commercial function, placing him at the forefront of European poster art. Though often associated with travel imagery, his posters double as historical documents—elegant testaments to France’s evolving relationship with modernity and mobility.