LUDWIG HOHLWEIN (1874-1949) MERCEDES / DAIMLER - MOTOREN - GESELLSCHAFT. 1914. 42 3/4x30 3/4 inches, 106 1/2x80 1/2 cm. Mercedes Automobile, Zurich. Condition B+: repaired tears at edges, some into image; expertly-replaced lower right corner, not affecting image; creases in margins; minor creases in image; small pin holes in corners. Mounted on Japan. In this poster, we clearly see the transition of Hohlwein's style to the standard it would take for most of his posters produced after the First World War. The image is more illustrative than graphic and is depicted in light pastel tones, giving the work the feel of a watercolor. The scene appears to be set at an air show and Hohlwein employs a descriptive style to capture all of the details: two fashionable couples with their driver in a magnificent Mercedes, with a Wright Brothers-style plane flying above. The vehicle appears to be the Mercedes 12/32 hp, which was in production from 1914 - note that it has no headlights. Hohlwein designed another poster for Mercedes after the war, equally as elegant and stylized. With the address of a Zürich Mercedes dealership printed in the bottom margin. Hohlwein / Stuttgart 162, DFP-III 1478, Affiches Automobiles p. 25.
