Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Two Mexican Film Posters from the 50s
The first one, "el Ciclòn del Caribe," seems to be a musical. Click on it and savor its full-size garish glory.
(I don't know why the lady is green!)
The second, "Trotacalles," seems to be about streetwalkers (Spanish speakers, am I translating "Trotacalles" correctly?) Unfortunately it's in pretty bad shape and it may be past salvaging. The artist's name is Vargas and I'm told he was a very prominent figure among the Mexican artists painting movie posters back in the day.
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The Trotacalles poster reminds me of the 1927 painting by Tamara de Lempicka, 'Young Girl in Green' (see http://www.superstock.com/stock-photos-images/463-6936 ). I'd guess that the poster image is heavily based on the Lempicka image.
ReplyDeleteI don't think th poster is beyond salvaging (the image area looks largely undamaged), but you will need to take it to a paper conservator for professional restoration. Contact your local art museum for some referrals.
Could 'Vargas' be Alberto Vargas ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberto_Vargas ), the artist who did pin-ups for Playboy for several decades, as well as working for Hollywood and Ziegfeld during his early career?
My Spanish-English dictionary defines 'trotacalles' as a noun that is both singular and plural, and which means 'bum' or 'layabout'. I would agree, however, that the poster image suggests 'streetwalker' in this instance.
ReplyDeleteGracias.....I am going to take the poster to a conservationist recommended by a librarian friend. And you're spot-on about "Young Girl in Green!"
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