''The Lovers of Midnight'', 1931, movie poster painting by Jean Adrien Mercier
by Movie World Posters
Title
''The Lovers of Midnight'', 1931, movie poster painting by Jean Adrien Mercier
Artist
Movie World Posters
Medium
Painting - Movie Posters
Description
Base painting of the vintage movie poster for ''The Lovers of Midnight'', (French: "Les Amours de Minuit") is a French romantic drama film released in 1931, directed by Augusto Genina. Set in the vibrant city of Paris, this film captures the whirlwind romance between two young lovers from different social backgrounds, against the backdrop of the bustling nightlife of the city.
The story revolves around Jean, a charming and carefree young man from a working-class neighborhood, portrayed by Maurice Chevalier, and Marguerite, a sophisticated and wealthy socialite played by Josette Day. Despite their differences in social status, Jean and Marguerite are drawn to each other by an irresistible attraction, and their love affair unfolds with passion and intensity.
What sets "The Lovers of Midnight" apart is its evocative portrayal of Parisian nightlife in the 1930s, as well as its exploration of themes such as love, class, and societal expectations. Director Augusto Genina captures the energy and excitement of the era, immersing viewers in the glamorous world of dance halls, cabarets, and romantic rendezvous.
Maurice Chevalier delivers a charismatic and charming performance as Jean, capturing the character's wit, charm, and joie de vivre with infectious energy. Josette Day brings elegance and sophistication to the role of Marguerite, portraying the character's inner conflict and vulnerability with depth and nuance.
At its core, "The Lovers of Midnight" is a timeless tale of love conquering all, celebrating the transformative power of passion and romance. With its captivating performances, enchanting setting, and romantic storyline, the film remains a beloved classic of French cinema, offering audiences a glimpse into the enchanting world of love and desire in the City of Lights.
Base art is the poster artwork after the text has been digitally removed.
About the artist:
Jean-Adrien Mercier (August 12, 1899, Angers, France – May 15,1995, Sainte-Gemmes-sur-Loire) was a French illustrator, poster artist, and advertising designer.
He studied art at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts (School of Fine Arts) in Angers and at the Ecole des Arts Décoratifs (National School of Decorative Arts) in Paris in 1921. In 1924 he began working as a designer and painter of French film posters.
From 1925 through 1942, Mercier designed more than 120 movie posters, including many for leading directors such as Jean Renoir, Abel Gance, and Sacha Guitry. Collections of his work are currently held at museums and libraries in France.
Mercier's style is recognizable like a few others for its originality and formal purity. His images are almost always created with geometric shapes, stylized as if they were outlines, cut-outs of a more complex picture.
Because of their regular geometry, they almost look like images from the design of Russian Constructivism or schematic but flashy artworks of Second Futurism. The French artist uses primary colors -yellow, blue, red, but also white and black fields- on neutral backgrounds. There is order, cleanliness, essentiality. Mercier communicates in the most effective way possible: through disarming simplicity.
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Uploaded
October 25th, 2022
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