Monte Generoso. 1897.

ARTIST: ANONYMOUS SIZE: 19 1/2 x 27 5/8 in./49.7 x 70 cm DESCRIPTION: “It is not always easy to reconcile elegance and comfort: this is at least the problem that arose for the first women who ventured into the high mountains. At a time when the wearing of trousers was strictly forbidden to them, they indeed faced considerable difficulties: climbing steep walls or descending deep snow slopes on skis was undoubtedly less pleasant in a long dress and crinoline than in pants and puttees!” (Alpes, p. 173). Being that as it may, this anonymous artist managed to depict an outdoors-woman who is both chic and physically capable of climbing to new heights. The Monte Generoso railway serves the Italian-speaking Swiss canton of Ticino from Lake Lugano to the summit of its namesake mountain. The blank space in this poster would have served for a timetable. (Art Nouveau; Travel; Railway; Swiss)