All Things Vintage: Elvgren Art #AprilA2Z
Howdy, kittens and dawgs! Typically I do a Wordless Wednesday feature. You can find my linky party at the end, but I’m don’t have any photographs of my own to share today. I’m locked into the #AprilA2Z challenge this month and I hope you stick around to enjoy today’s edition of All Things Vintage.
What is an Elvgren? Elvgren isn’t a what, but a who. Gillette Elvgren (March 15, 1914 – February 29, 1980) was an American painter who produced the work for many illustrated ads, but what he’s best known for his pinup girls. Allow me to share some of Elvgren’s eye candy.
(I do not own any of these images. I borrowed them from this internet source.)
This is a small taste of Elvgren’s work. For info on the images used, I found on the website: The Pinup Files. The art of seduction using a your girl-next-door with her sweet, wholesome appeal illustrated by Elvgren proves that little seen is better than seeing it all and this is why these images of everlasting quality for years to come.
Are you an Elvgren fan? Do you like collecting vintage pinup girl art?
A special thank you to the incredibly gifted A2Z Team who many are now my good friends.
Arlee Bird @ Tossing it Out
Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh
Heather M. Gardner
Jeremy @ Hollywood Nuts
AJ Lauer
Pam @ An Unconventional Librarian
Damyanti Biswas @ Daily Write
Zalka Csenge Virág @ The Multicolored Diary
Joy Campbell @ The Character Depot
John Holton @The Sound of One Hand Typing
Link your #WW post and tweet the news!
Now, I invite you to hop with me in checking out some of the amazing A2Zers playing along this year and I hope you’ll come back tomorrow to read about Flapper fashion era.
34 Comments
Arlee Bird
Never heard of the artist, but the images look familiar. He’s kind of like the Norman Rockwell of pin-ups.
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
Cathy Kennedy
Lee, exactly! Elvgren was compared to Norman Rockwell. You hit the nail on the head! I think Elvgren’s work is a timeless work of beauty. 🙂
Caz Greenham Author
A great blog. Loved it.
@CazsBooks
#azchat
Rorybore
These are so much nicer and sexier than the images of today that just leave it all OUT and seem to be becoming ever more vulgar and even violent. This celebrates women’s beauty and our sexuality, without making it the entire focus. It’s not over glamorized or fake; even though you could say they are made up. But I definitely find this type more Art. Today’s stuff is straight up objectification which caters solely to the male gaze.
Cynthia
From viewing these pictures, it looks like Elvgren knew how to strategically place objects and limbs in the right places!
Cathy Kennedy
Cynthia, yes strategically placing objects so to camouflage body parts was a clever and intriguing maneuver by Elvgren. 🙂
Colette S
I didn’t learn much about pin up girls and the fascination by American men, until I came to the US 🙂
Cathy Kennedy
Collette, really you didn’t know about these things in Jamaica? That’s fascinating to me that you didn’t hear of these things before coming to the USA. Oh well, it’s good to learn something new each day, right?
Liz A.
Those are great. They look very mid century.
Cathy Kennedy
Liz, I love vintage pin up girl artwork! The sweetness of these girls is what makes them so sexy.
Jeffrey Scott
I wasn’t aware of him as an artist till you highlighted him. He does good work.
I can see why those would be pinup art.
Cathy Kennedy
Jeffrey, I’ve seen Elvgren works over the years, but never paid much attention of who the artist is like I do most things. It wasn’t until recent years I committed to memory who Gil Elvgren is and recognize some of his artwork even if there’s no signature. He has a special way of capturing the innocence of a woman.
XmasDolly
Well, look at you girlfriend! I didn’t know you were doing the A to Z So am I!! Woo Hoo I’ll have to make it a point to come over every day now!!! His pin-ups remind me of pictures that his name totally escapes me. It’s on the tip of my tongue and I cannot think of it.. DARN! I’ll be back as soon as it comes to me.. DARN! You know the guy… he’s got a picture of a little boy and a dentist and holiday pictures up the ying yang… oh darn what is his name. Shoot!!! I’ll be back.
Cathy Kennedy
Marie, when I stopped off on Monday to dance with you, I found out you were also doing the A2Z. 🙂 I’m a bit behind and am playing catch up. I haven’t a clue who the guy is you’re thinking of, but if you remember PLEASE let me know because I’m scratching my head on this one now. lol Have a good day, my friend, and thanks for the visit. Now, I’m off to see what you’re sharing!
Robin Rivera
I love artwork from the pinup era, and I bet Elvgren’s work is still super popular with art collectors and museums. An interesting A to Z post.
Robin @ Write On Sisters
Cathy Kennedy
Robin, it appears his work is quite popular. DH got me a 2016 Elvgren calendar for my birthday in December, which I love. It has some of these images included in it, too.
Myke Todd
You have educated me here. Wonderful samples of his work displayed.
Today, your “E” is for Excellent.
Cathy Kennedy
Myke, Every post is an education for me. I love researching topics of interest! I always learn something new.
Janie Junebug
Wow! He really captured my look. That’s me in every painting. However, I had never heard of him before, so I don’t know how he found me.
Love,
Janie
Cathy Kennedy
Janie, that can’t be you in every picture because I will swear to it that I’m in at least one or two of them. lol
Birgit
Aside from the Coca-Cola gal, what were they selling?? 🙂 Actually i know some of these images even though I forgot the artist’s name. He died young (in my mind anyway). They are tastefully done and show women as women, not anorexic freaks who are photoshopped to death
Cathy Kennedy
Birgit, I’m not sure what they were or if they were selling anything in most of these pieces of artwork, but this is the sort of style he used, except the models were more modestly dressed, when doing work for Coca- Cola, Sylvania, Orange Crush, Schlitz Beer, General Electric, and Napa Auto Parts. It’s just a delight to see these paintings of how Elvgren captured these women’s innocence and charm on canvas.
Mary B
I love a good pinup! Just the right amount of tease, yet very tastefully done.
Mary
#AtoZChallenge E is for Elle
Cathy Kennedy
Mary, indeed ~ tasteful teasing!
Naila Moon
I never knew who the artist was to so many I have seen.
Really terrific and tasteful works.
Patrick Weseman
Love the pinups. Gil Elvgren is one of my favorite artists. His work is amazing. Thanks for highlighting him.
Cathy Kennedy
Patrick, I’m glad to hear you’re fan of his work. I love it!
Kisma
I love the pinups! This is how sexy should always be. Tasteful and flirty, just a tease of the mystery behind what a woman is!
Cathy Kennedy
Kisma, Who doesn’t like vintage pin-ups?! I totally agree with this how sexy should be…just enough to make you want more. 😉
Srivi
Cathy, I am getting to know so many new things about vintage from your posts! Totally loved this one! I really liked Elvgren’s work.. All the images which you have showcased here, oozes sensuality but in a nice manner…. Great work by Elvgren!
Thanks for this wonderful post Cathy 🙂
Cathy Kennedy
Srivi, Elvgren is a tasteful artist who captures the essence of a woman’s sensuality without offending his viewers while making them want to see more, you know what I mean. lol
Srivi
Yes, I understand 😉
Thomas Anderson
Hi, Cathy!
I certainly am a Gil Elvgren fan! A few years ago I studied the work of Elvgren and many other pin-up artists and eventually assembled a collection of framed fine art Giclée prints which includes three of the examples in your post, “Dog Gone,” “A Number To Remember” and “TV Spectacular.” This topic goes to what you and I were discussing the other day in your bomber girls nose art post. It is very refreshing to find a woman who appreciates female beauty and form w/o becoming intimidated or irate. I applaud you for being the confident, open-minded woman you are.
Thank you very much, dear friend Cathy!
Cathy Kennedy
Tom, it’s hard to not be a fan of Gil Elvgren and I can’t help, but to believe there is a pin-up girl hiding in the hearts of every woman. I mean, what woman really doesn’t want to be desired by others? If a woman says anything different then I question her honesty on the subject. I’m glad you enjoyed today’s post. It was a lot of fun to pull together!