Munich Zoo Flamingo
Buy this print on Etsy →A gorgeous flash of colour and elegance, this is Ludwig Hohlwein's poster for the Munich Zoo (Tierpark Hellabrunn), featuring a flamingo rendered in his celebrated bold, graphic style. The bird's rosy plumage, sinuous neck and poised stance are captured with rich flat colour and dramatic contrast, turning a simple animal study into a striking piece of design. It is at once instantly recognisable and effortlessly stylish - Hohlwein at his most decorative.
Ludwig Hohlwein (1874-1949) was the great master of the German Sachplakat, or 'object poster,' and among the most influential commercial artists of the twentieth century. Trained as an architect, he had an unerring sense of composition, reducing his subjects to bold shapes and harmonious colour while keeping them wonderfully alive. His series of animal posters for the Munich Zoo are among his best-loved creations, prized for their elegance, their economy and their eye-catching charm.
The flamingo is a perfect Hohlwein subject: graceful, colourful and full of natural design. He plays its soft pinks and warm tones against deeper shadows, giving the image both delicacy and graphic strength - the kind of picture that draws the eye the moment you enter a room.
As wall art it is delightfully chic. The rosy palette and bold form make it a natural for a nursery or child's room, a living room, bathroom or dressing room, or a colourful gallery wall, and it brings warmth, elegance and a touch of the exotic to any interior. It is a lovely gift for bird and animal lovers, flamingo fans, design enthusiasts, and anyone drawn to Art Deco and vintage zoo posters, and it pairs beautifully with other Hohlwein and wildlife prints.
Because the original dates to the early twentieth century, it is now in the public domain, which is why we can reproduce it at full museum quality.
Each print is produced on premium 189 gsm museum-grade archival matte paper, faithfully capturing the warm pinks, bold shapes and soft vintage paper of the original poster - ready to frame and enjoy for years to come.
