Italie-Voyages poster – Italian skiing poster – Gino Boccasile

Italie-Voyages poster – Italian skiing poster – Gino Boccasile This vintage Italie-Voyages poster was created by Gino Boccasile to promote tourism to Italy. The artist’s artwork depicts four intrepid companions on an adventure in the Dolomites. The small group combines hiking and skiing. Cross-country skiing was an extremely popular pastime among the world’s socialites before the advent of ski lifts in the 1930s. Boccasile’s skiing team is fashionably kitted out. Judging by the image on the Italie-Voyages poster, the skiing comrades appear to take their pursuit seriously. Dressed in the ideal attire; warm gloves, sturdy ski boots, hats, and sunglasses as protection from the sun the group appears well prepared for their Italian adventure.. They have each brought additional clothing and supplies in the rucksacks on their backs. One of the team has even remembered to bring a long rope in case of emergencies. The craggy mountain tops of the Dolomites in the background are imbued with a soft pink hue. The Dolomites, also known as the “Pale Mountains,” take their name from the carbonate rock dolomite. When sunlight paints the rocks in this pink tone, it creates the natural spectacle of Enrosadira (meaning “glowing red”). This phenomenon blends chemistry with legend. According to local legend, the colouring of the Dolomite range is the result of the revenge of King Laurin, the Lord of the Dwarves, who reigned over the Catinaccio range. Concealed within the mountains, Laurin is said to have possessed a rose garden, said to be the most beautiful in all the land. Upon spotting the daughter of a rival king, instantly fell in love. Having hatched a plan to kidnap the young girl, King Laurin draped himself in an invisible cloak and stole the daughter of the neighbouring king, taking her back to the mountains. Despite his invisibility, the King was pursued by the rival king and his men. The King’s downfall came from the very source of his pride… the wind, rustling through his beloved roses, revealed his path through their swaying blooms, leading to his capture. Having been caught, King Lauren, placed a curse on his rose garden, in the betraying mountains. The curse ensured the roses would no longer be able to bloom, by day or night. However, forgetting, to mention sunrise and sunset in the curse, the mountains glow a beautiful shade of rose in the twilight. Perhaps it is this very tale that the gentleman in the Italie-Voyages poster is mansplaining to the young woman. Having heard the tale many times before, his other two friends take no notice. Instead, they tighten their skis and prepare for the downhill run. For any true lover of the slopes, this vintage poster is a treasure trove of nostalgia and inspiration. Its timeless image, capturing the essence of skiing’s pioneering days, evokes a sense of adventure and a connection to the sport’s rich history. It ignites a passion for the freedom and exhilaration that skiing offers, regardless of the decade. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a first-time enthusiast, this poster serves as a powerful reminder of why we fell in love with skiing in the first place. Order your copy today.