''High Sierra'', 1941 - art by Luigi Martinati
by Movie World Posters
Title
''High Sierra'', 1941 - art by Luigi Martinati
Artist
Movie World Posters
Medium
Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Posters
Description
A vintage movie poster reprint of ''High Sierra'', a classic crime film released in 1941, directed by Raoul Walsh and starring Humphrey Bogart and Ida Lupino in the lead roles. The film is notable for its contributions to the film noir genre and is considered a significant work in Bogart's career.
Plot:
The movie revolves around Roy Earle, portrayed by Humphrey Bogart, a career criminal who is released from prison on parole. Earle is recruited by a criminal mastermind, Big Mac (played by Donald MacBride), to assist in a high-stakes heist at a resort in the Sierra Nevada mountains. The heist involves robbing a luxury resort hotel and its wealthy guests.
As the heist unfolds, Earle becomes entangled with a group of criminals, including a young woman named Marie (played by Ida Lupino), who is dealing with her own troubled past. Earle finds himself torn between his criminal tendencies and a desire for a fresh start.
Themes:
"High Sierra" explores themes of redemption, the consequences of a life of crime, and the idea that one's past actions can catch up with them. It also delves into the complexities of human relationships and the idea that even criminals can have a sense of morality and compassion.
Legacy:
The film is remembered for its strong performances, particularly Humphrey Bogart's portrayal of Roy Earle, which helped solidify his reputation as a leading man in Hollywood. "High Sierra" is often cited as an influential precursor to the film noir genre, with its dark and morally ambiguous characters, atmospheric cinematography, and themes of crime and redemption.
Overall, "High Sierra" remains a significant and well-regarded film in the history of American cinema, known for its compelling storytelling and memorable performances.
About the artist:
Luigi Martinati (1893-1983), born in Florence, Italy, on Dec. 31, 1893, was a significant Italian illustrator and painter. He spent most of his career creating artwork for film posters.
While growing up in Florence, he attended the Academy of Fine Arts, then moved to Rome in 1911 when he was 18. There, he worked as an apprentice for film poster artist Federico Ballester (1868-1926), the father of Anselmo Ballester, who also became a poster artist.
Between 1923 and 1941, he devoted himself to advertising illustration. He designed posters of various subjects and themes, from commercial advertising billboards to tourist signs to political posters to significant celebratory events.
He later became the director of IGAP (Impresa Generale Affissioni PubblicitĂ ), a leading advertising agency in Rome. In that role, he began collaborating with various film companies, primarily Warner Brothers studios. Soon after World War II, the advertising sector became dedicated exclusively to movie illustrations.
In the mid-1940s, he teamed up with two other painters of Italian film posters, Anselmo Ballester and Alfredo Capitani. Together, they founded BCM studio (using letters from their surnames) and dedicated their efforts exclusively to producing film posters.
Martinati's images typically invoked robust realism. His style was characterized by a foreground depicting a large portrait with a minor scene in the background. He also stands out for his technique, which focused on the strength of the subjects without lingering on details and particulars. The heroes of Martinati posters are realistic and believable, with few exaggerated expressions or poses..
In 1959, he cut back on his partnership with Warner Brothers and other film production and distribution companies. By 1967, he discontinued his successful career as a film poster artist to work primarily as an easel painter.
He died in Rome in 1983 at the age of 90.
To see some of his other posters, enter his last name in the search.
Uploaded
May 10th, 2021
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