Gardez-la intacte ! Circa 1980

This beautiful circa 1980 environmental poster by Samivel, titled Gardez-la intacte ! (“Keep it untouched!”), is a poetic and visionary example of French ecological graphic design dedicated to the preservation of mountain landscapes.

Created for the Club Alpin Français with the collaboration of the Agence Nationale pour la Récupération et l’Élimination des Déchets, the poster promotes respect for alpine environments through a strikingly minimalist and contemplative composition. The text calls for the cleanliness and protection of mountain refuges and chalets: “Ni déchets, ni pollution, ni bruit, ni destructions” (“No waste, no pollution, no noise, no destruction”).

The image depicts a solitary alpine ibex standing quietly beside a small reflective pool high in the mountains, surrounded by immense snow-covered peaks rendered in delicate shades of pale blue and white. The vast empty sky and restrained palette create an atmosphere of silence, purity, and fragility, perfectly aligned with the environmental message of the poster.

Samivel — the pseudonym of Paul Gayet-Tancrède — was one of the great French illustrators, writers, and defenders of mountain culture during the twentieth century. Passionately devoted to the Alps and natural landscapes, he became famous for his luminous watercolors, travel illustrations, and ecological activism long before environmental protection became a widespread public concern. His work consistently celebrated the beauty and vulnerability of untouched nature.

In this poster, Samivel’s refined watercolor technique is perfectly suited to the subject. Rather than using dramatic slogans or aggressive imagery, he communicates through serenity and visual harmony. The near-empty composition invites contemplation and emphasizes the scale and silence of the alpine world. The isolated ibex becomes a symbol of wilderness itself — peaceful, vulnerable, and deserving of protection.

The poster also reflects the growing environmental awareness of the late twentieth century, particularly in France, where concerns about tourism, waste, and industrial development increasingly threatened fragile mountain ecosystems. Through its elegant simplicity, the work conveys a message that remains deeply relevant today.

Decoratively, the poster possesses exceptional visual calm and sophistication. Its soft tones and minimalist composition make it particularly appealing for interiors focused on nature, mountain culture, environmental themes, or modern French graphic design.

Today, original Samivel posters are highly sought after by collectors of alpine art, environmental graphics, and twentieth-century French illustration. Gardez-la intacte ! stands as both a beautiful decorative work and an early artistic statement advocating for the preservation of the natural world.

Original Poster

Skiing - Tourism - Ecology - France

Cleanliness of mountain huts and chalets. No waste, no pollution, no noise, no destruction - Original poster created for the French Alpine Club in collaboration with the National Agency for Waste Recovery and Disposal

Printed by Fot in Lyon

Good condition