Vintage Airline Poster

A section of a vintage SAS travel poster. The poster has a modernist aesthetic, characterized by clean lines, bold colors, and simplified forms.The posters often feature stylized depictions of landscapes, landmarks, and cultural symbols associated with the destinations. As the airline expanded its routes, the posters began to encompass a wide range of international destinations, each depicted with imagery that conveys the unique allure of the place—whether it’s the Great Wall of China, the pyramids of Egypt, or the beaches of the Caribbean. This section features celestial constellations and colorful architecture from diverse cultures around the world. 

Why We Picked It
The use of colors such as blue, rust, green, and contrastive white, along with the incorporation of yellow adobe forts, creates a visually striking composition. The juxtaposition of architectural styles against a celestial backdrop suggests a fusion of cultural and cosmological themes, evoking a sense of both earthly and otherworldly beauty. The inclusion of the camel and Indonesian dancer adds a touch of exoticism and cultural richness to the scene, inviting viewers to contemplate themes of travel, diversity, and the interconnectedness of different cultures and landscapes.

These posters are renowned for their artistic and cultural significance, capturing the essence of mid-20th-century travel advertising. They are known for their distinctive style, vibrant colors, and evocative imagery that reflect the destinations and the era they represent. 

About the Artist
The map, crafted by renowned Norwegian artist Jørleif Uthaug (1911-1990), showcases his modernistic abstract style. Uthaug, known for his contributions to art through diverse media such as stone, wood, glass mosaics, steel, brass, iron, and canvas, also created artworks for cruise liners, hotels, schools, and municipal buildings. This map bears a resemblance in both scope and style to the large Boucher world maps for Air France and the TWA world map.