An exceptional piece of Italian cinema history, this is original preliminary concept artwork by Sicilian artist Michelangelo Papuzza , created in 1968 for the Italian poster campaign of Sergio Leone’s landmark Spaghetti Western, Per un Pugno di Dollari (A Fistful of Dollars).
The work depicts Clint Eastwood in the same precise silhouette as the official released poster, rendered in Papuzza’s characteristic illustrative hand. The black linework is entirely hand-drawn by the artist, with color — red, blue, green, and brown — applied individually to the paper via printing. The colors have faded gracefully over the decades, lending the piece an authentic patina consistent with its age and medium.
The paper measures 8” x 10.5” and is presented in a frame measuring 15.25” x 18”. The reverse of the work bears Papuzza’s original signature, handwritten dimensional notations, and the mark of Orma Grafica, the Italian graphic arts studio, firmly establishing provenance.
Papuzza went on to become one of Italy’s most celebrated film poster illustrators, perhaps best known for his iconic poster work on Guerre Stellari (Star Wars, 1977), examples of which have appeared at Sotheby’s and other major auction houses. Original concept artworks by Papuzza rarely come to market, making this an extraordinary acquisition for collectors of vintage cinema art, Italian graphic design, or Spaghetti Western memorabilia.
Offered at $4,500.