Description
Lisbon – TWA Diorama – Rex Werner 1949 Original Vintage Travel Poster
This vibrant original TWA diorama poster promoting Lisbon was designed in 1949 by Rex Werner for Trans World Airlines (TWA). The scene captures the lively atmosphere of the Portuguese capital’s waterfront, with colorful fishing boats and harbor vessels resting in the foreground while the city rises in layered terraces above the port.
Painted buildings in warm Mediterranean tones climb the hillside toward historic landmarks and church towers, reflecting the distinctive architecture and maritime character of Lisbon. The harbor setting emphasizes the city’s long history as one of Europe’s great seafaring ports and an important gateway between continents.
The image was created using Werner’s distinctive diorama technique, in which detailed miniature models of landscapes, buildings, and figures were carefully constructed and then photographed. Through controlled lighting and meticulous craftsmanship, these miniature scenes achieved remarkable realism and became a signature style of TWA’s travel advertising during the golden age of aviation.
Rex Werner served as Art Director for Trans World Airlines from 1947 to 1964, later becoming Director of Corporate Design and eventually Vice President of Design. His imaginative diorama posters combined sculpture, photography, and graphic design to produce unique travel imagery that remains highly collectible today.
Trans World Airlines (TWA) was founded in 1924 as Transcontinental & Western Air, initially connecting New York and Los Angeles. Following World War II, the airline expanded its international service to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Under the ownership of Howard Hughes from 1939 to 1961, TWA became one of the most recognizable airlines in the world, and posters such as this helped inspire travelers to explore global destinations.
This poster has been professionally acid‑free conservation mounted and archivally linen backed, and it is ready to frame.
This is an Original Vintage Poster; it is not a reproduction.
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