Innsbruck 1976 Winter Olympics

A striking minimalist poster for the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, designed by Arthur Zelger. The composition is bold, geometric, and instantly legible from a distance.

The deep midnight-blue background creates a dramatic alpine night-sky effect. Across the top, the five Olympic rings float in a clean golden outline. Below them, a large white abstract form dominates the lower half — shaped like a stylized ski jump tower or snow-covered slope. From its right side flows a sweeping ribbon of color: red, light blue, and purple layered like motion trails, suggesting speed, descent, and winter sport energy.

In the distance, sharp triangular peaks in cool tones hint at the Tyrolean Alps, but they’re reduced to simple graphic shapes rather than realistic mountains. The typography at the top — “INNSBRUCK ’76 · TIROL · AUSTRIA” — is set in a sleek, futuristic sans-serif that perfectly matches the modernist 1970s aesthetic.

Zelger’s design avoids clutter and instead uses large fields of color, strong negative space, and symbolic forms. The result feels both elegant and powerful — a fusion of sport, landscape, and modern design language that defined Olympic branding in the era.

Mounted on linen. In excellent condition.