''That Hamilton Woman'', 1941 - art by Anselmo Ballester

A vintage movie poster of ''That Hamilton Woman'', a 1941 American historical drama film directed by Alexander Korda. The film is notable for its... more

by Movie World Posters

Title

''That Hamilton Woman'', 1941 - art by Anselmo Ballester

Artist

Movie World Posters

Medium

Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Poster

Description

A vintage movie poster of ''That Hamilton Woman'', a 1941 American historical drama film directed by Alexander Korda. The film is notable for its romantic and dramatic portrayal of the relationship between British naval hero Admiral Horatio Nelson and Emma Hamilton during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

The story of "That Hamilton Woman" revolves around the real-life romance between Admiral Horatio Nelson (played by Laurence Olivier) and Emma Hamilton (played by Vivien Leigh). Nelson is a British naval officer who becomes a national hero for his victories at sea during the Napoleonic Wars. Emma Hamilton is a charismatic and beautiful woman who captures Nelson's heart. Their passionate and scandalous love affair unfolds against the backdrop of war, political intrigue, and social judgment. The film explores the challenges and sacrifices faced by the couple as they navigate their love in the face of societal norms and duty to their country.

Key elements of "That Hamilton Woman" include:

Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh: The film features the iconic acting duo of Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh, who were married in real life and deliver compelling performances as the titular characters.

Historical Drama: "That Hamilton Woman" is a historical drama that immerses viewers in the political and social context of the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Romance and Scandal: The film emphasizes the passionate and controversial nature of Nelson and Emma's relationship, which scandalized society at the time.

Epic Production: The film boasts lavish production values, including period costumes, naval battles, and grand sets.

Alexander Korda's Direction: Director Alexander Korda brings his expertise in historical epics to the film, creating a visually stunning and emotionally engaging narrative.

"That Hamilton Woman" is considered a classic of historical cinema, known for its sweeping romance and the captivating performances of its leads. It provides a vivid portrayal of the tumultuous love affair between two historical figures and the challenges they faced. The film's combination of historical drama, romance, and political intrigue has made it a lasting and beloved entry in the 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, Tespi Film, Cosmopolis, Guazzoni Film, Titanus, Minerva, Fox, Paramount, Manenti, Sangraf, Tirrenia, Lo Deserto, Nazionalcine, Sabaudia, Bassoli, Eagle Lion, Rank, RKO, and De Laurentiis.

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. His posters have sold at auction for considerable sums; the poster he created for "The Lady from Shanghai," for example, sold for $25,000 in 2015.

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."

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.

Search by the artist's last name to see more of his art.

Uploaded

September 26th, 2021