Otto Morach (1887–1973)

Poster: Comptoir de Matériaux de Construction Berne S.A.

Artist

Otto Morach
Swiss painter, decorator, and poster artist, Otto Morach is a major figure of Swiss modernism. Trained in Munich and Paris, he was particularly active between the 1910s and 1930s, during which he developed a powerful, geometric, and socially engaged visual language.

Year of creation

Circa 1928–1930
(This dating is generally accepted by art historians and the international poster market.)

Subject description

The poster presents a monumental and stylized vision of the construction industry. Two tall, almost totemic architectural structures frame the composition. Between them, a cart loaded with building materials—bricks, cylindrical forms, and industrial elements—symbolizes the rapid development of modern construction and industry.

The volumes are rendered in sharp, angular forms with a strong sense of verticality. Human presence is reduced to small schematic figures, emphasizing the dominance of architecture and machinery. The bold contrast of red, white, and black intensifies the visual tension and conveys a sense of industrial power and progress.

Period & style

• Period: Interwar period

• Movement: Modernism – Constructivism – Expressionist influences

• Style characteristics:

  • Extreme geometric abstraction

  • Monumental architectural composition

  • Restricted color palette (red, black, white)

  • Strong industrial and progressive aesthetic

This work clearly belongs to the European constructivist movement, with echoes of Futurism and German Expressionism, while maintaining the typographic discipline and graphic rigor of Swiss design.

Rarity

• Rarity: High

• Original Swiss lithographic printing (Wolfsberg Press, Zurich)

• Few surviving examples in good condition

• Highly sought after on the international modernist poster market

Authentic examples appear only rarely on the market and are held in both private and institutional collections. Its value is supported by Morach’s historical importance and the iconic strength of the composition.

Collector’s interest

This poster is considered one of Otto Morach’s most significant graphic works and a defining example of modernist industrial imagery. It represents the modernist belief in progress through industry and architecture and is a key reference piece for collections focused on Swiss posters, modernism, or early 20th-century industrial design.

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