''Montparnasse 19'', 1958 - art by Jean Mascii is a tapestry - textile by Movie World Posters which was uploaded on January 21st, 2022.
''Montparnasse 19'', 1958 - art by Jean Mascii
A vintage French movie poster of ''Montparnasse 19'', 1958, also known as Les Amants de Montparnasse (The Lovers of Montparnasse), a French-Italian... more
Title
''Montparnasse 19'', 1958 - art by Jean Mascii
Artist
Movie World Posters
Medium
Tapestry - Textile - Vintage Movie Poster
Description
A vintage French movie poster of ''Montparnasse 19'', 1958, also known as "Les Amants de Montparnasse" (The Lovers of Montparnasse), a French-Italian biographical drama film. Directed by Jacques Becker and Max Ophüls, the film portrays the tragic life of the famous Italian painter Amedeo Modigliani, played by Gérard Philipe.
Set in the Montparnasse district of Paris during the early 20th century, a hub for artistic and intellectual activity, the film focuses on the later years of Modigliani's life. It depicts his struggles with poverty, addiction, and the art world's rejection, as well as his turbulent relationship with Jeanne Hébuterne, portrayed by Anouk Aimée, who was his devoted companion.
"Montparnasse 19" is notable for its poignant portrayal of the struggles faced by artists. Modigliani's character is depicted as a passionate, yet self-destructive artist, whose dedication to his art is both his greatest strength and his ultimate downfall. The film explores themes of artistic integrity, the burden of unrecognised genius, and the personal sacrifices made for art.
The cinematography captures the bohemian atmosphere of Montparnasse, with its cafes, studios, and the vibrant community of artists, poets, and writers. The film's visual style complements its subject matter, with a focus on the expressive faces of the characters, the depiction of Modigliani's artworks, and the recreation of the Parisian art scene of the era.
The performances of Gérard Philipe and Anouk Aimée are particularly lauded, as they bring depth and sensitivity to their roles. Philipe's portrayal of Modigliani is both charismatic and heart-wrenching, effectively conveying the artist's internal turmoil and creative brilliance.
"Montparnasse 19" received critical acclaim for its artistic direction, powerful performances, and its respectful yet unflinching look at the life of a tormented artist. The film serves as a moving tribute to Modigliani and a time when Montparnasse was at the heart of artistic innovation and expression in Paris.
About the artist:
Jean Mascii was a French painter, poster artist, and illustrator. He was born on July 5, 1926, in Mirandola, Italy, and died in Paris on November 16, 2003. His poster design career spanned over three decades into the 1980s, during which he created over 1,500 posters.
The son of Italian immigrants, Mascii scored his first design job in 1943 when he was 17, making panels for cinema facades at Déco Star. After designing his first poster in 1947, he worked at Pathé Cinéma before setting up his own art studio in 1955. He then designed posters primarily for Warner Bros.
His primary medium was gouache, which lent itself well to reproduction by lithography. On his creative process, he said, "I was given a synopsis or photo sets, and I would get to it." Starting in the 1960s, however, posters were printed with offset. He then began using a technique of accentuating the facial realism of his models against an enriched background. He was one of the first poster artists to depict the hero's face standing out against a series of background sketches, mirroring the twists and turns of the film’s plot.
Once the newer designs of photomontage and computer graphics took hold after the 1980s, Mascii stopped painting poster art. From 1990 on, he primarily designed book covers and devoted himself to painting. He was one of the last portraitists to use the classical style of original paintings.
He also created over 250 book covers, in addition to designing nearly 1,500 cinema posters along with visuals for advertising and press.
Search by the artist's last name to see more of their art.
Uploaded
January 21st, 2022
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