Norway Travel Poster: Nordlandfahrten by Hamburg-Amerika Linie, 1933

Nordlandfahrten 1933, Hamburg-Amerika Linie is a luminous example of interwar Art Deco travel advertising, created in 1933 to promote “Northland” voyages into the dramatic landscapes of Northern Europe. Although the individual poster artist is lost to history, the design speaks fluently in the era’s visual language: a mother and child in traditional Nordic dress gaze over an alpine-blue fjord, angular mountains rising behind them while ocean liners slip into view. The image evokes warmth, safety, and cultural pride—exactly the feelings that cruise lines of the early 20th century hoped to kindle in would-be travelers.

This listing offers a museum-quality fine art print produced by The Unique Maps Co., available on acid-free archival paper or on richly textured artist’s cotton canvas. Multiple sizes are offered to suit anything from a snug nook to a statement wall. Optional framing and matting can be tailored to your space, and we can personalize the print with a discreet caption, date, or dedication. We’re also happy to customize typographic details—such as an English or German title line—to echo the original poster’s period feel.

While the designer is unknown, the publisher is not: Hamburg-Amerika Linie (often known as HAPAG) was among the world’s most prestigious shipping companies, commissioning striking posters to communicate comfort, modernity, and continental sophistication. Their marketing drew on a network of skilled illustrators who distilled the romance of ocean travel into bold, streamlined forms—posters meant to be read at a glance, yet memorable for a lifetime.

The subject here—Nordlandfahrten, or “Northland cruises”—spoke directly to the allure of Northern Europe in the 1930s, when scenic cruising promised a release from the ordinary. The poster’s familial vignette presents a welcoming window into local culture, the traditional clothing signaling authenticity and place. It also neatly captures the zeitgeist: even in an era of economic uncertainty, the dream of well-appointed liners gliding into pristine harbors offered an attainable sense of wonder and escape.

Color plays a starring role. The dominant green of hillsides and meadow, crisp whites in garments and lettering, and carefully placed reds in the traditional costume create a vivid triad against cool blue water and sky. Smooth, blended strokes give the figures an inviting softness, while the background mountains are more angular and stylized—a classic Art Deco contrast between human warmth and the grandeur of nature. The flowers in the foreground soften the scene further, while the ship silhouettes anchor the narrative of elegant passage from city to fjord.

Own this print to bring the romance of maritime travel and the serenity of Northern landscapes into your home. It pairs beautifully with Scandinavian interiors, nautical rooms, or any space that celebrates design heritage. As a gift, it’s perfect for travelers returning from Norway or the wider Nordic region, cruise enthusiasts, lovers of vintage poster art, or anyone drawn to the clean lines and evocative color of the Art Deco era—ideal for Christmas, Mother’s or Father’s Day, a housewarming, or to commemorate a memorable voyage.

If you're not sure what size to order, or you're looking for a custom order of some kind – a different size, a different colour, a special frame – then please contact me. I usually respond within a few minutes.

You can see an example of my fine art personalisation service in the fifth image. Zoom in and take a look. My personalised artwork is always very well received. Take a look at more examples of personalisation.

You can also choose to age your art print to make it look older. This is popular amongst my customers who want their artwork to look like an older, antique print. You can see an example of ageing in the sixth product image, or go ahead and check out lots of examples of other aged artwork.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) version of this art print.

I can print and frame this beautiful piece of art at sizes up to 3 metres (10ft). If you are looking for a size or framing option that isn't available online, please get in touch.

This artwork is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. My standard frames come in six colours (black, dark brown, dark grey, antique gold, oak and white), and custom framing is available for an additional charge. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.