In an early commercial commission, renowned British Pop Artist Allen Jones was asked to design the publicity poster for the 1976 US release of Barbet Schroeder’s 1973 fetish romance Maîtresse, starring a young Gerard Depardieu as the small time crook who stumbles into the double-life of a dominatrix, played by Bulle Ogier. Werner Gallery, who exhibited Jones' original artwork in 2016, stated that despite his inability to Identify with its explicit sadomasochistic themes, Jones accepted the poster commission based on his fondness for the ...powerfully stylised heroine of the film. Jones' original design, with the high-heeled, leather-clad brunette with bull whip in hand, proved too risqué for the distributor, so the figure was reworked into a blonde beauty gripping a pair of keys instead of the more provocative whip. In 2008, Jones revisited his original design and began developing it into a series of dominatrix paintings. With its graphic scenes of fetishism, the uncut film was refused a certificate for public release in the UK until 2003.

Provenance

Excellent (A-)

Unfolded, not backed. A few minor nicks to edges and creases to corners. Image and colours excellent.