The Italian Job Lives by Tony Smith

New for Summer 2011, Tony Smith has produced the first in a new series depicting the iconic red, white & blue mini coopers from the 'Italian Job' film of 1969. Peter Collinson's film & a gang's attempted heist of gold bullion is now firmly entrenched in British movie legend.

Tony's first & original 'Italian Job' Series has so far created 9 limited edition pieces, 8 have been numbered and 1 that was kept outside of the numbering and simply called 'Getting Away With It;' this piece actually came out after Italian Job 5 - Cafe Carnival but before Italian Job 6 - Going For Gold. We where told Italian Job 8 (actually the 9th release) was going to be the last release in the series & now finally we have the good news that Tony has produced this new 'The Italian Job Lives I' piece (& hopefully series!) for his many fans and followers

'The Italian Job Lives I' limited edition is not an actual scene from the film but Tony has of course been inspired to paint by his love of the film & the amount of mini owners who visitor various locations in the Alps & Turin area each year, as homage to the film!

Over the last 20 years, the 'Italian Job' series by Tony Smith has been an iconic collection and has graced many a home. All are now collectors items, with large money traded on the secondary market for the limited editions.

We hope the first in the new series 'The Italian Job Lives' will introduce many more people to his artwork & his obvious love of the film 'The Italian Job' starring Michael Caine

The Second in the new Tony Smith art series: 'The Italian Job Lives No.2' comes racing to the start line & a new addition to our site for 2013! A blue, a red and a white mini are seen in the Italian Alps, in this fresh and vibrant limited edition print.

The 2nd Red Mini with the white stripes, maybe a cheeky homage to the 2003 film The Italian Job where they perform a heist In LA, as the red mini in the Original Michael Caine film had black stripes on it !- but maybe I'm too much of a fan.

I don't think this is directly from the film & is more likely a scene from the many fans that visit the film locations every year with the UK based 'Italian Job Tours.' By the way, did you notice the 4th orange Mini approaching in the background? you have to look very closely to appreciate the detail in Tony's artwork!

A white mini parks up over a picturesque Italian lake and vista. Tony gives us his latest entry into the new Italian Job series with this fresh entry to our website for 2013.

What I think you will like about this limited edition, is that Tony Smith is now taking elements from the Italian Job film, namely the mini & blending them with some of 'The Italian Job' backdrops, seen throughout the film.

The mini and the sportscar next to it are crisply painted and have realistic shadow. Taking a moment to survey the beautiful rustic buildings and scenery in the distant hills, one often forgets what an accomplished landscape artist Tony is, he doesn't just paint minis! I found his painting of the water and its reflection very accomplished.

Tony's fourth instalment in this follow up collection to the original 'Italian Job' series, undoubtedly his most famous to date & this New series re-establishes again the link in British consciousness with Tony Smith’s art, the 1969 film and the Mini Cooper!

Blue, yellow and orange Mini Cooper's follow the original route from the movie through Turin and the Alps - the light blue mini has white stripes and takes the lead! You get to see another view of a very familiar vista and you can almost imagine you will get a glimpse of Sir Michael Caine driving one of the cars, as it whizzes past your view!

Setting aside the 'chase' going, I had forgotten just how superb an artist Tony is, as the scene is imbued with so much beauty & lightness.

From the picturesque sea view on the left, which the faint outline of a boat sail, to the spray in the mountains on the foreground and the beautiful building with the clocktower on the right, it is humbling for me how good an artist Smith is and he should be cherished for it.