Large Paul Newman & Brigette Bardot collages - art? signs?

I found these yesterday at a local thrift store & thought they were the coolest things - especially the Paul Newman one; I'd just watched The Great Escape the night before so I thought these were meant for me!

What are these/were these used for? They are large (about 38" - 40" x 35") and had long nails coming out of them that I had to remove so they were attached to something (wall or wood fence?) - see last few photos.
They are covered with a poly-like or shellac coating(?) and they are mounted on some type of digital art board - see last photo,

Are these art?
Were they some kind of advertising signs - they remind me of a Chanel or old Jordache jeans commercial (see the Rolex ad in Paul Newman's piece)?

Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated!

 

Here is the back of one - notice where there is a small split in 1st photo + the rust in nail holes; there must be metal in them to some degree, right? (like a sign would?)
2nd photo shows back that says for digital art.

Thanks again for any thoughts on what these are!

 

I like them too! Fun pieces.

Max-Metal is a type of aluminum used in printing. They can be used for signs, but you can also print art on them to sell. Just like a canvas print.

They could be advertising, but the Bardot one doesn't seem to have anything, and Newman was known for his Rolex with racing. The long nails make me think maybe this was art for a bar or restaurant?

 

No idea - why I posted them here!
I just liked them!