''The Man from Laramie'', 1955 - art by Anselmo Ballester
by Movie World Posters
Title
''The Man from Laramie'', 1955 - art by Anselmo Ballester
Artist
Movie World Posters
Medium
Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Poster
Description
A vintage Italian movie poster of ''The Man from Laramie'', a 1955 American Western film directed by Anthony Mann. The film is known for its intense and gritty portrayal of revenge and conflict in the American West, and it is considered one of the finest examples of the genre.
The story centers around Will Lockhart, portrayed by James Stewart, a determined and enigmatic stranger who arrives in the town of Coronado in New Mexico with a mysterious mission. As Lockhart investigates the circumstances surrounding his brother's death and attempts to uncover the truth, he becomes entangled with a powerful and ruthless rancher named Alec Waggoman, played by Donald Crisp, and his erratic son Dave, portrayed by Alex Nicol. The film explores themes of revenge, justice, and the consequences of violence.
"The Man from Laramie" is celebrated for its taut and suspenseful narrative, as well as its stunning cinematography, which captures the rugged beauty of the American Southwest. The film features intense action sequences, including a memorable climax involving a salt mine.
James Stewart's performance as Will Lockhart is a standout, as he portrays the character's stoicism and determination in the face of danger and betrayal. The film also features strong supporting performances from the cast.
The title, "The Man from Laramie," reflects the mysterious and solitary nature of the film's protagonist, who hails from Laramie, Wyoming.
While "The Man from Laramie" may not be as well-known as some other Western classics, it is highly regarded by fans of the genre for its compelling storytelling and James Stewart's memorable role. The film's exploration of themes related to justice and revenge, combined with its atmospheric cinematography, continue to make it a notable work in the Western film canon.
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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December 25th, 2021
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