''Adam Had Four Sons'', 1941 - art by Anselmo Ballester
by Movie World Posters
Title
''Adam Had Four Sons'', 1941 - art by Anselmo Ballester
Artist
Movie World Posters
Medium
Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Posters
Description
A vintage Italian reprint of the movie poster for ''Adam Had Four Sons'',a 1941 American drama film directed by Gregory Ratoff. The film is notable for its family-centric storyline and features a talented ensemble cast, including Ingrid Bergman, Warner Baxter, and Susan Hayward.
The plot of the film revolves around the Mullein family, particularly their patriarch, Adam Stoddard, played by Warner Baxter. Adam is a wealthy and successful writer who becomes a guardian to four orphaned boys: David, Chris, Phillip, and Charles. Ingrid Bergman plays Emilie, a French governess who becomes romantically involved with Adam.
The film explores the dynamics of the Stoddard household as Adam and Emilie raise the four boys as their own. As the boys grow up, they each develop their unique personalities and aspirations. The story delves into themes of family, love, and sacrifice, as well as the challenges and joys of parenthood.
"Adam Had Four Sons" is known for its sentimental and emotional storytelling, emphasizing the bonds of family and the impact of love and care on the lives of the characters. Ingrid Bergman's portrayal of Emilie adds depth to the film, and her performance is a highlight of the cast.
The film's exploration of family dynamics and relationships is central to its appeal, as it depicts the trials and tribulations of a blended family and the various challenges they face. It also reflects the values and sensibilities of the time in which it was made, with an emphasis on traditional family values.
While "Adam Had Four Sons" may not be as well-known as some other films of its era, it remains a heartwarming and family-oriented drama that resonates with audiences who appreciate stories about love, parenthood, and the enduring bonds of family.
About the artist:
Anselmo Ballester (1897–1974) was a noted Italian painter and film poster designer from Rome. He was the son of Federico Ballester (Rome, 1868–1926), a painter of Spanish origins. Inspired by his father's artistic endeavors growing up, Anselmo completed his first works at 15.
After attending the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome, he specialized in film advertising for the most important silent film production houses. He created posters and other advertising material for CINES, Caesar Film, and numerous other studios.
In his studio in Rome, via della Croce 50a (then via della Passeggiata Ripetta 19), he spent almost 50 years creating thousands of sketches for playbills and paintings for film posters. He went on to form the design company BCM along with two other prominent Italian poster artists, Alfredo Capitani and Luigi Martinati
The movie posters Ballester created between the 1930s and 1950s showcased his unique painting style using tempera medium and bold colors. They typically featured one or two significant characters. His style is reminiscent of pulp fiction covers and, like the best cinema advertisements, were infused with intrigue, conflict, and passion. His works were uncomplicated yet rich in detail, a techniqe and style he himself describes:
"To become a creator of film posters ... it is necessary to study passionately, always to draw and paint everything from the truth. Then you can let your imagination run free. Whether you are creating a work of art, or a more humble advertising poster, you must be able to attract the interest of the public, to satisfy both the most refined people and the roughest, who are the majority."
From a stylistic and compositional point of view, Alfredo Ballester began by drawing inspiration from the advertising posters of Art Nouveau, and then he defined his personal code. The painter exhibited a common layout in his movie posters: the actor or actress beautifully portrayed in the foreground, and one or two scenes from the film in the background.
To achieve this result, he used a methodical technique, making numerous sketches of the project only after having the best two selected by the client, he devoted himself to the final painting, strictly handmade.
Ballester's color palette, however, was his greatest talent. The artist used colors expressively, as a tool to convey emotions. The portraits of the stars were extremely realistic but often colored with unnatural hues such as pinks or intense light blues. Ballester illustrated his characters with colors capable of conveying the range of feelings transmitted by the film.
He was written about in "Anselmo Ballester: the Origins of the Film Poster," published by the University of Parma, Study Center and Communication Archive in 1981. In addition, Dave Kerr made extensive use of his images in his 2003 book, "Italian Film Posters, "published by The Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Permanent collections of his work are displayed at the University of Parma, Communication Studies Center and Archive (CSAC) and the Cinema Museum in Brush, Montecosaro.
To see more of his posters search by his last name.
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May 11th, 2021
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