Plinio Colombi (1873, Ravecchia – 1951, Spiez) began studying architecture at the Technikum in Winterthur in 1893, but soon switched to the arts and crafts department. After completing his artistic training, he spent time in Paris before settling in Bern as a decorative painter. Colombi's first landscapes reveal his admiration for the symbolist painting of Arnold Böcklin; after 1905 he shifted his view to a more realistic perception of nature, drawing influence from the early works of Ferdinand Hodler. Colombi initially found his motifs in the Engadine and the Bernese Oberland. In 1924, the artist moved to Spiez. In addition to his wintery landscape paintings, Colmbi painted still-lifes with thistle motifs. He is also credited with creating remarkable drawings and prints, reinforcing his reputation as one of the pioneers of Swiss poster-art.