Italian Poster Masterpieces Revisited at International Poster Gallery International Poster Gallery celebrates its 15th anniversary on Newbury Street with a dazzling selection of posters from its world-leading collection of Italian masterpieces.
his career as a stage designer, caused a sensation with this clean, sculptural design. Inspired by the spiral ramp leading to the test track at Fiat's massive Turin factory, this coveted masterpiece is a prime example of Italian Art Deco design.
Known as a forerunner in the fashion world, Italy has also produced some of the most beautiful fashion posters. Perhaps the most well-known is a series of posters for the Neapolitan department store E. and A. Mele, which commissioned around 185 large format poster designs between 1900 and 1914. Marcello Dudovich, often considered the greatest fashion poster artist of all time, created no fewer than 14 designs for Mele. One of the most elegant dates from around 1910 and portrays a nattily-clad equestrian posing his pug for two admiring friends at the stables. Mele was instrumental in promoting aristocratic lifestyles and fashion to the rising middle class in Italy.
“What better way to celebrate our 15th anniversary than with a showcase of stunning Italian posters?” comments gallery owner, Jim Lapides. “While we proudly offer posters from all periods and regions, our collection of Italian poster art is perhaps the finest for sale in the entire world.”
Due to the sheer scale of Italian poster art and the depth of International Poster Gallery’s holdings, featured exhibition pieces will be rotated continuously. Returning visitors are rewarded with newly featured posters on a weekly, and sometimes daily basis, while specific works in the gallery’s extensive collection are available for viewing on request.
In addition to gallery shows and special exhibitions, IPG’s award-winning website, www.InternationalPoster.com offers the largest, most comprehensive online collection of fine vintage advertising posters in the world. Originally launched in 1998, the site now contains nearly 5,000 images accessible through a powerful search engine.
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Editor’s Note:
• Background, B&W Photos and Color Slides available.
• Support for feature development on poster collecting available.
• Interviews with gallery owner Jim Lapides and media visits are encouraged.
• Parking is available for media visits to the gallery.
