Among the many art forms of the 20th century, painted film posters are among the most fascinating - and the most forgotten. They were created by highly skilled illustrators, known as “cartellonisti,” who, with brushes and colors, could tell an entire film in a single image. These were not mere advertisements, but true works of art, capable of captivating the viewer even before entering the theater.

Today, thanks to modern technology, these posters can finally receive the recognition they deserve.

More and more people are rediscovering their artistic and cultural value. They are displayed in online catalogues and exhibitions; some people even use them as paintings to decorate their homes. They add personality and style to every space.

Painted Film Posters: When Cinema Was Told with a Brush

From the 1920s to the 1990s, film posters were created by hand by talented illustrators. They used brushes and paints to create images that told the story even before the screening began.

With a single image, they could immediately convey the film’s atmosphere, its protagonists, and the kind of story to expect. One glance was enough to intrigue passersby in front of the cinema.

Artists such as Anselmo Ballester, Luigi Martinati, Alfredo Capitani and Ercole Brini, created some of the most famous posters, both Italian and international. Their works gave visual form to the films of directors like Fellini, De Sica, Antonioni, and Visconti, leaving a lasting mark on the visual memory of entire generations.

A goldmine for collectors, art lovers, and interior design enthusiasts.

Vintage movie posters are true works of art, many of which are now held in private collections. The goal is to recover as many as possible and make them accessible to everyone.

Printed on canvas or paper, these posters can transform homes, offices, restaurants, bars, and hotels, bringing a distinctive vintage feel, originality, and character to any interior

Why choose painted film posters for decoration?

• Artistic value: every poster is a unique work of art.
• Visual impact: vibrant colors, dynamic compositions, expressive faces.
• Vintage authenticity: they evoke past eras and a deep connection with cinema.
• Decorative versatility: perfect for modern, classic, or industrial interiors.

From black and white to the explosion of color

Until the early 1940s, movie posters often had a darker, more sombre aesthetic, reflecting the mood of many films of the period. In the 1950s and ’60s, bold, vibrant colours came to the fore, echoing the optimism of the post-war economic boom. By the 1970s and ’80s, poster design had become even more daring, embracing bold graphic styles and influences from Pop Art and psychedelia.

Over time, movie posters have come to tell not only the story of cinema, but also the story of how society itself has evolved.

They are true works of art. Explore the thousands of vintage movie posters, lobby cards and photographs in our archive and find the ones that best bring character to your space. Browse the archive and take home a work of art that captures not only the emotion of the film, but also an authentic piece of cultural history.

The works reproduced on this page come from the original prints of the period, recovered, photographed and digitally restored by Movie.it.