Bold, glamorous, and brimming with cinematic allure, this 1960 original French release poster for La Dolce Vita—retitled La Douceur de Vivre—is a dazzling visual tribute to one of the most iconic films in cinema history. Illustrated by Yves Thos, a master of French poster art, the design captures the seductive chaos and bittersweet decadence of Federico Fellini’s internationally celebrated masterpiece.
Dominating the composition is Anita Ekberg in her unforgettable black gown, evoking the film’s most iconic scene at the Trevi Fountain. Around her swirl a carousel of dancers, showgirls, and revelers—visual metaphors for the hedonistic spiral of Rome’s postwar high society. At her feet, Marcello Mastroianni, ever the observer, kneels in a perfect pose of weary fascination.
Rendered in lush, painterly detail and bathed in theatrical spotlights, the poster transforms film stills into living spectacle. The dynamic composition mirrors the film’s blend of surrealism, satire, and melancholy, while the vivid palette and stylized figures reflect Thos' signature flair for movement and drama.
More than just a promotional piece, this poster is a testament to the golden age of European cinema and its crossover into popular culture. For collectors, it remains one of the most desirable examples of French film poster design—where art, celebrity, and cultural critique collide on paper.
A visual ode to la dolce vita, in every sense of the phrase.
Cinema
Printed by Gaillard in Paris
Good condition, slight restorations
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