''Waterloo Bridge'', 1940, movie poster painting by Silvano Campeggi
by Movie World Posters
Title
''Waterloo Bridge'', 1940, movie poster painting by Silvano Campeggi
Artist
Movie World Posters
Medium
Painting - Movie Posters
Description
Base painting of the vintage movie poster for ''Waterloo Bridge'', a 1940 American drama film directed by Mervyn LeRoy, based on the play of the same name by Robert E. Sherwood. The film stars Vivien Leigh and Robert Taylor in the leading roles and is known for its poignant and romantic storyline set against the backdrop of World War I.
The story of "Waterloo Bridge" centers on the love affair between Myra Lester, portrayed by Vivien Leigh, and Roy Cronin, played by Robert Taylor. Myra is a ballet dancer, and Roy is a British army officer. They meet and fall in love in London shortly before Roy is deployed to the frontlines of World War I. The film explores the challenges and sacrifices faced by the couple as they navigate the hardships of war and separation.
Vivien Leigh delivers a memorable and emotionally charged performance as Myra Lester, showcasing her talent for portraying complex and passionate characters. Robert Taylor provides a strong presence as Roy Cronin, capturing the character's sense of duty and devotion.
"Waterloo Bridge" is celebrated for its romantic and tragic storytelling, as well as its portrayal of the impact of war on personal lives. The film beautifully captures the era's atmosphere and mood, with its elegant period costumes and settings.
While "Waterloo Bridge" may not be as widely remembered as some other classics of its time, it remains a poignant and well-crafted romantic drama that has earned a place in cinematic history. Vivien Leigh's performance in the film is particularly notable, and the film is appreciated for its timeless exploration of love and sacrifice during wartime.
Base art is the poster artwork after the text has been digitally removed. It thereby closely recreates the original painting used for the poster. As practically all those original paintings have been lost, a recreation attempts to display the original art before the movie studios added descriptive text. See also our collection "Movie Poster Base Paintings."
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.
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November 4th, 2022
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