''Ramrod'', 1947 - art by Klaus Dill is a mixed media by Movie World Posters which was uploaded on February 2nd, 2022.
''Ramrod'', 1947 - art by Klaus Dill
A vintage German movie poster of ''Ramrod'', a 1947 Western film directed by Andre DeToth and starring Joel McCrea in the lead role. The film is a... more
Title
''Ramrod'', 1947 - art by Klaus Dill
Artist
Movie World Posters
Medium
Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Poster
Description
A vintage German movie poster of ''Ramrod'', a 1947 Western film directed by Andre DeToth and starring Joel McCrea in the lead role. The film is a classic example of the American Western genre and is known for its rugged and intense storytelling.
The story is set in the American West and revolves around a determined and independent woman named Connie Dickason, played by Veronica Lake. Connie is caught in a bitter feud between two rival ranchers, Frank Ivey (Preston Foster) and Dave Nash (Joel McCrea). Joel McCrea's character, Dave Nash, is the protagonist who becomes entangled in the conflict as he helps Connie defend her property and interests against the ruthless Ivey.
As the tension escalates, Dave Nash is determined to keep the peace and bring justice to the lawless land. The film is notable for its strong character development, complex relationships, and moral ambiguity, which were typical elements of many Western films of the era.
"Ramrod" is also known for its atmospheric cinematography and tense action sequences. It explores themes of love, betrayal, and revenge, all set against the backdrop of the rugged and unforgiving American frontier. The film blends elements of romance, drama, and action, making it a memorable entry in the Western genre.
Joel McCrea's performance as the stoic and heroic cowboy and Veronica Lake's portrayal of the strong-willed leading lady received critical acclaim. "Ramrod" remains a notable classic in the Western film canon and is cherished by fans of the genre for its compelling characters and gripping storyline.
Klaus Dill's posters are powerful, bold, and energetic. Influenced by his career as a western comics illustrator, his posters also absorbed this predominant strong and adventurous spirit. Dill's painting style is realistic in depicting faces, delineated with great attention to shading, lighting, and contrasts between dark and bright tones.
However, the depiction of bodies makes his work incredibly powerful: Dill paints plastic, three-dimensional volumes. He molds his characters as if they were sculptures. Under his shaping brushstrokes, actors and actresses take on physical substance.
About the poster artist:
Klaus Dill (October 6, 1922, Neustadt an der Weinstrasse, Germany – February 19, 2002, Frankfurt, Hessen, Germany) was a film poster painter and graphic designer.
Along with his two brothers and a sister, Dill grew up in the home of his grandfather, who ran a housewares shop. His father was a highly talented artist who worked in the advertising department at BASF. He encouraged and supported his son’s drawing attempts, giving him pointers and corrections. Inspired by the books he read, Dill was particularly fond of drawing cowboys and Indians of the American West.
At the age of 17, Dill enrolled at the exclusive Städelschule art academy in Frankfurt am Main. Today, the school accepts only about 20 students each year from over 500 applicants. About 75% of the students are from outside Germany.
Dill was forced to leave school in 1941 after getting drafted as a radio operator by the German army. His two brothers died in the war, while he survived after being taken prisoner by the Soviets in 1945. He returned home in 1949 to resume his studies, in spite of losing eight years of his artistic development.
He enrolled at the renowned art and design academy, Werkkunstschule (today's HfG Hochschule für Gestaltung), where his career as a painter of Western movie posters began. The German magazine Prinz called him "the German Hollywood painter."
Although Dill was a nephew of the well-known impressionist painter Otto Dill, his uncle never tutored or promoted him. By the time Otto died in 1957, Klaus had already become a recognized painter.
During Klaus’s time at the Werkkunstschule, he received his first film and book commissions, creating his first film poster for a Western in 1952. He was also commissioned by novelist Joachim Rennau to design dust jackets for his novels. In addition, he began designing covers for other books, including Zane Grey's stories.
On the 150th anniversary of German novelist Karl May in 1992, the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung" newspaper called Dill "the best German western painter."
Search by the artist's last name to see more of their art.
Uploaded
February 2nd, 2022
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