''The Mark of Zorro'', 1940 - art by Anselmo Ballester
by Movie World Posters
Title
''The Mark of Zorro'', 1940 - art by Anselmo Ballester
Artist
Movie World Posters
Medium
Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Poster
Description
A vintage movie poster of ''The Mark of Zorro'', a 1940 American swashbuckler film directed by Rouben Mamoulian. The film is based on the character Zorro, created by Johnston McCulley, and it is known for its thrilling action sequences and the charismatic performance of its lead actor, Tyrone Power. Here's a brief description of the film:
Plot:
The story is set in Spanish-ruled California during the early 19th century. Don Diego Vega, portrayed by Tyrone Power, returns to his family's hacienda after studying in Spain. He adopts the persona of a foppish and effeminate nobleman, concealing his true identity and skills from the authorities.
However, beneath his mild-mannered facade, Don Diego is secretly Zorro, a masked vigilante who fights for justice and defends the oppressed. Zorro's signature is leaving a "Z" mark with his rapier.
As the film unfolds, the corrupt Governor Alvarado, played by J. Edward Bromberg, and the cruel Captain Esteban Pasquale, played by Basil Rathbone, oppress the local population, impose heavy taxes, and commit acts of cruelty. Diego decides it's time to take action.
Don Diego transforms into Zorro and begins his campaign against the oppressive regime. He engages in daring swordfights, rescues the innocent, and outwits his enemies with his agility and cunning.
Themes:
"The Mark of Zorro" is a classic swashbuckling adventure film that explores themes of justice, heroism, and the fight against tyranny. Zorro, as a masked avenger, becomes a symbol of hope and resistance against corrupt authority.
Tyrone Power's charismatic and dashing portrayal of both Don Diego and Zorro is a highlight of the film. His ability to switch between the mild-mannered nobleman and the fearless swordsman adds depth to the character.
The film features exciting swordfights and action sequences, showcasing the athleticism and agility of Zorro. It captures the spirit of adventure and romance that is characteristic of the Zorro character.
"The Mark of Zorro" has been celebrated as one of the definitive adaptations of the Zorro legend and remains a beloved classic of the swashbuckler genre.
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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September 21st, 2021
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