Australia - Great Barrier Reef

This original vintage Australian travel poster from the 1930s promotes the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, with a magnificent underwater scene filled with tropical fish and colorful coral. The Great Barrier Reef lies in the Coral Sea off the coast of Queensland and was already being promoted internationally as one of Australia's great natural attractions.

The artwork is by James Northfield (1887-1973), one of Australia's best-known commercial artists and travel poster designers. The most prominent fish in the foreground are lionfish, immediately recognizable by their dramatic striped bodies and long, fan-like fins. The black-and-white striped fish swimming above appear to be sergeant major damselfish, a tropical reef species found in Australian waters. Northfield's richly painted scene emphasizes the remarkable variety and brilliant colors of life on the reef.

The poster was issued by the Australian National Publicity Association, Melbourne, and directs travelers to government, shipping and travel offices for further information. A beautiful and highly decorative example of 1930s Australian tourism advertising and a classic Great Barrier Reef design by James Northfield.

Professionally mounted on linen and in excellent condition. There is a tear in the bottom margin, with minimal creasing and staining in the margins.