Propaganda

Fostered by the country’s direct democracy, political posters were widespread in Switzerland early on. Geneva graphic designer Noël Fontanet (1889–1982), a member of the radical right-wing movement Union nationale, created referendum posters rife with polemical clichés. His high-impact, simplified political messages came packaged in a catchy comic-like style. Here, a portly, red-cheeked, older civil servant rests complacently on the billions of francs that will ensure him a comfortable retirement.