''Nerven'', 1919 - art by Josef Fenneker is a mixed media by Movie World Posters which was uploaded on January 20th, 2022.
''Nerven'', 1919 - art by Josef Fenneker
A vintage German movie poster of ''Nerven'', 1919, a German silent film directed by Robert Reinert, notable for its expressionistic style and its... more
Title
''Nerven'', 1919 - art by Josef Fenneker
Artist
Movie World Posters
Medium
Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Poster
Description
A vintage German movie poster of ''Nerven'', 1919, a German silent film directed by Robert Reinert, notable for its expressionistic style and its exploration of psychological themes. The film is a significant work in the German Expressionist movement, known for its innovative visual style and its deep dive into the human psyche, particularly focusing on the impact of World War I on the German populace.
The story of "Nerven" revolves around the mental and emotional struggles of its characters, set in a post-war Germany fraught with economic hardship, social unrest, and psychological trauma. The film's narrative is less linear and more episodic, focusing on the experiences of various characters, including a factory owner, his mentally disturbed sister, and a charismatic preacher.
One of the unique aspects of "Nerven" is its intense visual style. The film employs stark contrasts, dramatic lighting, and distorted sets to visually represent the inner turmoil and fractured mental state of its characters. This expressionistic approach is key in conveying the film's themes of mental illness, despair, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world.
The director, Robert Reinert, was known for his interest in exploring psychological and philosophical themes in his films, and "Nerven" is a prime example of this focus. The film delves into the collective neurosis and anxiety of a society recovering from the horrors of war, exploring the impact of trauma on both the individual and the collective consciousness.
Although the performances are typical of the silent era, with a greater emphasis on body language and facial expressions than dialogue, they effectively convey the intense emotions and psychological depth of the characters. The actors' performances, combined with the film's visual style, create a powerful and haunting portrayal of a society on the brink of collapse.
"Nerven" is considered a pioneering work in the psychological drama genre and is celebrated for its artistic innovation and its bold exploration of the human condition in the context of a world recovering from war. Despite its age, the film remains a compelling and relevant exploration of the impact of societal upheaval on the human psyche.
The posters of graphic artist and painter Josef Fenneker impress with their dark, mysterious and fascinating atmospheres. Stylistically, they embody the unusual and elegant forms of Art Nouveau and the intense emotional energy of the Expressionist painting. His characters, often haunting and spectral female figures, stand out against dark black or blue backgrounds. They are characterized by livid and gloomy tones. The restlessness of 1920s Berlin and the Weimer Republic shines through Fenneker's artworks.
The artist masterfully used the technique of color lithography, thus preferring the medium of printmaking. Lithography was a tradition in German culture. It allowed great expressive possibilities, enhancing contrasts and the sharpness of outlines. While the German printers in that period who were able to keep a colored image bright and distinct within a solid dark ink background were considered the world's most skilled.
About the artist:
Josef Fenneker (1895–1956) was born in Bocholt, Germany and went on to become a noted German painter and graphic artist, designing over 300 movie posters. His recognizable style drew mainly on German Expressionism with a flair for aesthetic decadence.
After studying in Münster, Düsseldorf, and Munich, Fenneker moved to Berlin, where he studied graphic arts and book art at the teaching institute of the Kunstgewerbemuseum. He was a master student of Emil Orlik during his studies there.
At the beginning of his career, Fenneker primarily focused on commercial graphics. However, after 1918, he began designing film posters for major Berlin premiere theaters. His unique style quickly earned him notoriety among the industry. Dr. Siegbert Goldschmitt, director of the distinguished Marmorhaus film theater, commissioned Fenneker to design for many of his theater’s exhibited films.
By age 30, Fenneker had already painted and designed over 250 works. Like many other European poster artists, he created original paintings instead of using photographs, stating, "No photo can show the 'excessive drama' of the cinema; only the drawn and painted illustration can do that."
Fenneker's influences included Expressionism, Cubism and Futurism, Art Deco, and Jugendstil (Art Nouveau). His expressionistic style earned him a position as one of the most important representatives of artistic film posters of the 1910s and 1920s.
Search "Fenneker" to see more of his art.
Uploaded
January 20th, 2022
More from Movie World Posters
Comments
There are no comments for ''Nerven'', 1919 - art by Josef Fenneker. Click here to post the first comment.