''Queen Christina'', 1934 - art by Rolf Goetze

A vintage German movie poster of ''Queen Christina'', 1a 1933 American pre-Code historical drama film directed by Rouben Mamoulian and released in... more

by Movie World Posters

Title

''Queen Christina'', 1934 - art by Rolf Goetze

Artist

Movie World Posters

Medium

Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Poster

Description

A vintage German movie poster of ''Queen Christina'', 1a 1933 American pre-Code historical drama film directed by Rouben Mamoulian and released in 1934. The film is notable for its starring role of Greta Garbo as the titular character, Queen Christina of Sweden, and is considered one of her most iconic performances.

The film is loosely based on the life of Queen Christina, who ruled Sweden in the 17th century. It tells the story of Christina's early life, her ascension to the throne as a child after the death of her father, and her subsequent reign as a young and independent-minded queen. Christina is portrayed as a strong-willed and unconventional monarch who defies convention and expectations, both in her personal life and in her approach to ruling Sweden.

One of the central themes of the film is Christina's struggle between her duties as a queen and her desires as a woman. She is depicted as a complex character who is torn between her responsibilities to her country and her longing for personal freedom and love. This internal conflict becomes particularly pronounced when she falls in love with a Spanish envoy named Antonio (played by John Gilbert), leading to a passionate and tumultuous romance.

"Queen Christina" is known for its lavish production values, including elaborate sets and costumes, which capture the opulence of the 17th century Swedish court. Greta Garbo's performance as Christina received critical acclaim, and she brought depth and complexity to the character.

The film is also notable for its romantic and dramatic elements, as well as its exploration of gender and power dynamics. It is considered a classic of the 1930s and remains a significant work in Greta Garbo's filmography.

"Queen Christina" is remembered for its iconic final scene, in which the queen makes a dramatic decision that seals her fate. It has been praised for its historical accuracy, despite some liberties taken with the true story of Queen Christina's life, and for its portrayal of a strong, independent female protagonist at a time when such characters were relatively rare in cinema.

Overall, "Queen Christina" is a classic film that combines elements of historical drama, romance, and character study, and it remains a celebrated entry in the Golden Age of Hollywood cinema.

About the poster artist:

Rolf Goetze was a German illustrator and painter who painted film poster art for about 30 years. His early works began in the 1930s, when he did a number of posters for Greta Garbo films, including "Queen Christina" (1934), "Anna Karenina" (1935), and "Camille" (1936). He continued creating German poster artwork of mostly American films through the 1960s.

From a stylistic point of view, Goetze's posters are characterized by a great compositional structure; the German designer was capable of blending incredibly realistic, close-up portraits, with elaborate scenes in the background. An undisputed master of portraiture, Goetze created numerous posters using monochrome, black and white, or sepia palettes. His posters look like realistic, vivid charcoal drawings. They are able to represent faces and expressions of their protagonists, as mirrors faithful to reality.

Search by the artist's last name to see more of his art.

Uploaded

February 9th, 2022