An advertising poster designed by Mario Gros in 1938. Gros was a Turin-born graphic designer and painter who built a significant career as a poster artist and graphic entrepreneur across early-twentieth-century Italy.
Beginning as a young apprentice engraver while studying painting at the Accademia Albertina in Turin, Gros developed skills in chromatic engraving before specializing in commercial poster design. He worked as a poster artist for major film production companies including Ambrosio Film and Pittaluga, creating designs for celebrated silent-film actresses such as Francesca Bertini and Lydia Borelli. His portfolio included posters for notable productions including Atlantide, La passione di Giovanna d’Arco, and Il re dei re. Gros also signed the Italian poster for The Jazz Singer, the first American sound film to reach Italian audiences. In 1925, he founded Gros Monti & C., a printing enterprise based in the San Paolo district of Turin, consolidating his role as both artist and industrial proprietor in graphic production.
About Mario Gros
Mario Gros (Turin, 1888–San Remo, 1977) was an Italian painter, draughtsman, and graphic entrepreneur. He trained at the Accademia Albertina under Giovanni Guarlotti and Romolo Bernardi, and became a leading figure in Italian poster design during the silent and early sound cinema era.
Details
- Creator: Mario Gros
- Year: 1938
- Object type: Advertising poster
- Period: Italian interwar graphic design
Frequently asked questions
Who was Mario Gros?
Mario Gros (1888–1977) was a Turin-born painter, draughtsman, and graphic designer who became one of Italy’s most accomplished poster artists. He worked for major film studios and founded his own printing company in 1925.
What kind of work did Gros create?
Gros specialized in advertising posters, particularly for cinema. He created designs for celebrated silent-film productions and actresses, and signed the Italian poster for The Jazz Singer, the first American sound film.
What was Gros’s role in graphic industry?
Beyond his work as a poster designer, Gros was an entrepreneur who founded and directed Gros Monti & C., a printing company in Turin specializing in poster production.
