11 Facts About Hans Erni

Hans Erni was a Swiss graphic designer, painter, illustrator, engraver and sculptor.

Hans Erni is known for having illustrated postage stamps, his lithographs for the Swiss Red Cross, his participation on the Olympic Committee as well as his activism.

Hans Erni's 1939 works and first major public success was a mural titled Switzerland: "Vacation Land of the People" was commissioned and displayed for the national exhibition in Zurich.

The Hans Erni Museum, situated in the grounds of the Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne, contains a large collection of artwork, he designed ceramics and theatre costumes and sets.

Hans Erni did the art for Swiss bank notes, in the 1940s but, after the notes were already printed they were never published, because a member of the State Council of Lucerne criticized that Erni was deemed as a communist.

However, Erni was never a member of any political party.

Hans Erni illustrated about 200 books and created 90 postage stamps and 25 medals.

Hans Erni was commissioned by the Lucerne Museum Fine Arts to organize an exhibit about Pablo Picasso.

Hans Erni participated to the 1964 Documenta exhibition in Kassel, in the graphic design department.

Hans Erni realized a 30 meter long mural for the Museum.

Hans Erni was very interested in sport and received the United States Sports Academy award of sport artist of the year in 1989.