''Tragedy of the Street'', 1927 - art by Josef Fenneker is a mixed media by Movie World Posters which was uploaded on January 20th, 2022.
''Tragedy of the Street'', 1927 - art by Josef Fenneker
A vintage German movie poster of ''Tragedy of the Street'', a 1927 German silent drama film directed by Bruno Rahn. The movie stars Asta Nielsen,... more
Title
''Tragedy of the Street'', 1927 - art by Josef Fenneker
Artist
Movie World Posters
Medium
Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Poster
Description
A vintage German movie poster of ''Tragedy of the Street'', a 1927 German silent drama film directed by Bruno Rahn. The movie stars Asta Nielsen, considered one of the greatest film actresses of her time, and revolves around the life of a prostitute. The film is notable for its portrayal of the darker aspects of Weimar-era Berlin, presenting a gritty and unglamorous view of the lives of sex workers.
Nielsen's character in the film is a streetwalker who becomes involved with a painter. The relationship is complex and fraught with emotional turmoil, reflecting the societal attitudes and hardships faced by women in her profession during that time. The film is a significant example of the German silent cinema, particularly in its realistic portrayal of lower-class life and its exploration of social issues. The production design, cinematography, and Nielsen's performance were particularly acclaimed.
"Tragedy of the Street" is remembered for its thematic boldness and is considered a precursor to the socially conscious films that would become more prevalent in later years. It stands as a testament to the artistic and cultural atmosphere of Weimar Germany, a period marked by significant social change and a flourishing of the arts.
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 by the artist's last name to see more of his art.
Uploaded
January 20th, 2022
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