''The Masked Mannequin'', 1927, movie poster painting by Josef Fenneker is a painting by Movie World Posters which was uploaded on November 5th, 2022.
''The Masked Mannequin'', 1927, movie poster painting by Josef Fenneker
Base painting of the vintage movie poster for ''The Masked Mannequin'', a 1927 silent crime drama film directed by William C. de Mille, starring Mae... more
Title
''The Masked Mannequin'', 1927, movie poster painting by Josef Fenneker
Artist
Movie World Posters
Medium
Painting - Movie Posters
Description
Base painting of the vintage movie poster for ''The Masked Mannequin'', a 1927 silent crime drama film directed by William C. de Mille, starring Mae Murray in the lead role. The film blends elements of mystery and intrigue with a touch of romance, typical of the silent film era.
The story follows Mae Martin (Mae Murray), a talented artist who works as a mannequin in a department store. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she becomes entangled in a murder mystery. While modeling a costume at a masquerade ball, she witnesses a murder, and the killer marks her as a potential threat. As a result, Mae Martin is pursued by both the police and the criminal gang responsible for the murder.
Mae Murray's performance as Mae Martin is notable for her ability to convey the character's vulnerability and determination in the face of danger. The film is known for its suspenseful sequences and moments of intrigue as Mae attempts to solve the murder and clear her name.
"The Masked Mannequin" is a reflection of the mystery and crime genres popular during the silent film era. It incorporates elements of suspense, mistaken identities, and hidden agendas, creating an engaging narrative that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.
While the film may not be as well-remembered today as some other silent classics, it is a representation of the storytelling conventions of its time and showcases Mae Murray's talents as a silent film actress. "The Masked Mannequin" is a window into the entertainment sensibilities of the late 1920s and offers a glimpse into the era's fascination with crime and mystery narratives.
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."
The posters of graphic artist and painter Josef Fenneker impress with their dark, mysterious and fascinating atmospheres. Stylistically, they embody the unusual and elegant forms of Art Nouveau and the intense emotional energy of the Expressionist painting. His characters, often haunting and spectral female figures, stand out against dark black or blue backgrounds. They are characterized by livid and gloomy tones. The restlessness of 1920s Berlin and the Weimer Republic shines through Fenneker's artworks.
The artist masterfully used the technique of color lithography, thus preferring the medium of printmaking. Lithography was a tradition in German culture. It allowed great expressive possibilities, enhancing contrasts and the sharpness of outlines. While the German printers in that period who were able to keep a colored image bright and distinct within a solid dark ink background were considered the world's most skilled.
About the artist:
Josef Fenneker (1895–1956) was born in Bocholt, Germany and went on to become a noted German painter and graphic artist, designing over 300 movie posters. His recognizable style drew mainly on German Expressionism with a flair for aesthetic decadence.
After studying in Münster, Düsseldorf, and Munich, Fenneker moved to Berlin, where he studied graphic arts and book art at the teaching institute of the Kunstgewerbemuseum. He was a master student of Emil Orlik during his studies there.
At the beginning of his career, Fenneker primarily focused on commercial graphics. However, after 1918, he began designing film posters for major Berlin premiere theaters. His unique style quickly earned him notoriety among the industry. Dr. Siegbert Goldschmitt, director of the distinguished Marmorhaus film theater, commissioned Fenneker to design for many of his theater’s exhibited films.
By age 30, Fenneker had already painted and designed over 250 works. Like many other European poster artists, he created original paintings instead of using photographs, stating, "No photo can show the 'excessive drama' of the cinema; only the drawn and painted illustration can do that."
Fenneker's influences included Expressionism, Cubism and Futurism, Art Deco, and Jugendstil (Art Nouveau). His expressionistic style earned him a position as one of the most important representatives of artistic film posters of the 1910s and 1920s.
Search "Fenneker" to see more of his art.m posters for major Berlin premiere theaters. His unique style quickly earned him notoriety among the industry. Dr. Siegbert Goldschmitt, director of the distinguished Marmorhaus film theater, commissioned Fenneker to design for many of his theater’s exhibited films.
By age 30, Fenneker had already painted and designed over 250 works. Like many other European poster artists, he created original paintings instead of using photographs, stating, "No photo can show the 'excessive drama' of the cinema; only the drawn and painted illustration can do that."
Fenneker's influences included Expressionism, Cubism and Futurism, Art Deco, and Jugendstil (Art Nouveau). His expressionistic style earned him a position as one of the most important representatives of artistic film posters of the 1910s and 1920s.
Search "Fenneker" to see more of his art.
Uploaded
November 5th, 2022
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