1976 Umbrella Wedding
By: Elke Sommer
Date: 1976 (circa) Chicago, IL
Dimensions: 31 x 21.75 inches (79 x 55 cm)
A scarce vintage poster of Elke Sommer's Umbrella Wedding made as a display piece for the Marshall Field & Co. Picture Gallery. The poster features a vibrant and somewhat whimsical depiction of a wedding or family gathering, with figures in traditional clothing holding umbrellas and surrounded by livestock, geese, and a pastoral countryside setting. The scene is colorful and stylized, reflecting a folk-art style with an emphasis on simplicity, bold forms, and communal life.
Marshall Field & Co. was a famous department store in Chicago, renowned for its luxurious goods, high-quality service, and for being one of the pioneering department stores in America. The store regularly collaborated with artists, both for in-store displays and promotional materials, and also had its own art gallery where it promoted both established and up-and-coming artists. The Marshall Field's Picture Gallery likely commissioned this particular work for display or promotion as part of its cultural outreach efforts.
Elke Sommer (born 1940) is a German actress, entertainer, and artist. She became widely known as a glamorous actress in both European and American films during the 1960s and 1970s. Aside from her film career, she has gained recognition as a talented painter, specializing in colorful and emotive works. Sommer's paintings often reflect her personal emotions and experiences, blending elements of folk art, surrealism, and sometimes hints of fantasy.
Her work as an artist has been well received, and she exhibited her works internationally. This poster from 1976 likely reflects her style during that period, which was characterized by bright, playful colors and almost naïve portrayals of human figures and animals, often evoking a sense of nostalgia or whimsy. Sommer's artwork can often convey stories of communal life, celebration, and traditional settings, which is apparent in this poster.
Condition: This poster is in A condition with bright colors on clean, textured paper.
Inventory #92231
1200 W. 35th Street #425 Chicago, IL 60609 | P: (312) 496 - 3622