''Sombrero'', 1953 - art by Silvano Campeggi
by Movie World Posters
Title
''Sombrero'', 1953 - art by Silvano Campeggi
Artist
Movie World Posters
Medium
Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Poster
Description
A vintage Italian movie poster of ''Sombrero'', a 1953 American musical film directed by Norman Foster. The movie is notable for being one of the few Hollywood films of its time that attempted to portray Mexican culture and traditions. It is often categorized as a musical comedy-drama with elements of romance and adventure.
The film's plot revolves around a young American woman named Rian Powers, played by Pier Angeli, who travels to Mexico with her father and falls in love with a charismatic Mexican rancher, Pepe González, portrayed by Ricardo Montalbán. Rian's father disapproves of her relationship with Pepe, leading to various conflicts and misunderstandings.
As with many musical films of the era, "Sombrero" features several song and dance numbers that showcase the talents of the cast. The music and dance sequences are an integral part of the film, with Mexican folk songs and traditional dances adding to the overall cultural atmosphere.
One of the notable aspects of "Sombrero" is its attempt to showcase Mexican culture and heritage, including elements like mariachi music, colorful costumes, and glimpses of rural life in Mexico. The film also explores themes of love, family, and cultural differences.
While "Sombrero" aimed to provide a glimpse into Mexican culture, it also faced criticism for some of its stereotypical portrayals and inaccuracies. Nevertheless, it remains a notable film in the history of Hollywood's depiction of Mexican culture and is remembered for its music and performances by the cast.
About the artist:
Campeggi, nicknamed "Nano," has a unique style characterized by a sharp simplicity. The line of his drawings is distinct and thick, with few colors and elements. This essentiality is not an obstacle as it led him to create endless scenarios and combinations.
The style is vaguely reminiscent of Japanese prints and etchings: there is the same pursuit of cleanliness, balance, and graphic directness. Campeggi in some movie posters even reaches the conceptual style, choosing for the representation of the film just iconic objects, a face, an expression, a title. There is truly essential modernity in Campeggi's posters.
Silvano "Nano" Campeggi (1923–2018), born in Florence, Italy, was a painter and poster designer, today considered one of the most influential graphic artists in the history of American cinema. While living in Hollywood, he designed and produced the posters for many classic Hollywood films. As a result, he became known as "The Artist to the Stars".
Campeggi returned to Florence in the late 1990s after a long career in the United States, where he had created cinematic billboards for historical films such as 'Gone with the Wind," "Casablanca," "Singing in the Rain," "An American in Paris," "West Side Story," "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," "Winners and Losers," "Exodus," and "Breakfast at Tiffany's."
His father, a printer and typesetter, introduced him to the world of graphics and design at an early age. Campeggi attended the Art School at Porta Romana, studying under accomplished painters such as Ottone Rosai and Ardengo Soffici.
Campeggi's first career breakthrough arrived in the form of a World War II commission from the American Red Cross to paint the portraits of American soldiers before they returned home. After the war, he moved to Rome, where he was engaged by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Following, he produced the poster for "Gone with the Wind," featuring a painting of Clark Gable holding Vivien Leigh in a passionate embrace.
Over the course of his career, Campeggi designed posters and advertising graphics for over 3000 films, designing for the likes of MGM, Warner Brothers, Paramount, Universal, Columbia Pictures, United Artists, RKO, 20th Century Fox, and several other movie studios. Sixty-four of the films he illustrated for won Oscars.
By the 1970s, film poster illustrations packed less of a punch due to the emergence of television and newspaper advertising. In response, Campeggi returned to Florence, Italy around that time. Various private and public organizations soon commissioned him to do paintings, including a postage stamp in 1975.
In 2008, for the 150th anniversary of Giacomo Puccini’s birth, Campeggi was commissioned to produce a special tribute titled "The Girls of Puccini." The same year, he began working on a Napoleon series to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the emperor's association with the island of Elba. The "Napoleon at Elba" exhibition opened in September 2008 at Portoferraio.
Search "Campeggi" to see his other posters.
Uploaded
January 23rd, 2022
Embed
Share
Comments
There are no comments for ''Sombrero'', 1953 - art by Silvano Campeggi. Click here to post the first comment.