Sta.sh
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Welcome to the Art History Project, brought to you by your Community Relations Team on dA.
We hope to bring you interesting articles about the origins of the Art you love today.
The History of Pinup & Glamour Photography
Glamour Photography, in its purest form is romantic, sensual and often erotic in style and impact, which has been used by models, performers and movie stars for many years.
Part of the incredible allure of such shots make the genre so flexible and useful for advertising that it has become a staple part of the products of bygone times and the icons of fondly remembered memorabilia.
Glamour Photography is ever being redefined by the times and each decade has had something different to offer to shape the style.
Part of the incredible allure of such shots make the genre so flexible and useful for advertising that it has become a staple part of the products of bygone times and the icons of fondly remembered memorabilia.
Glamour Photography is ever being redefined by the times and each decade has had something different to offer to shape the style.
1920s and 30s - The Golden Age of Illustration
By the 1920s, the golden age of illustration was in full flower. The new film industry fueled the public's appetite for magazines devoted to their celluloid heroes, with the likes of Mary Pickford, Gloria Swanson and Betty Grable.
The 30’s saw Marlene Dietrich, Greta Garbo, Ginger Rogers, Joan Crawford and of course Mae West, become international icons.
1940s - Pinup's Heyday
Though the origins of Pinup can be documented back at least to the end of 19th century, where the images could be cut out of magazines or newspapers, or be from postcard or chromo-lithographs, and so on, it would be 1940’s America that would be known as the heyday for Pinup girls.
They were depictions of very beautiful women with a sensual and ingenuous air. Even the government of the United States gave pin-up photos and illustrations as a present to their soldiers during the World War II. Pictures of Betty Grable, one of the most popular glamour photography models, were carried to war by hundreds of soldiers. Specifically, Glamour photography from the war era featured models either fully clothed or wearing swimsuits.
The pin-up look is very precise. Pin-up girls are very feminine. Their lips use to be paint in red, their eyelashes are very defined, using false eyelashes in the photographs. The eyebrows are very pronounced, skin colour uses to be very fair, and hair uses to be wavy or softly curled.
The pin-up poses are very suggestive, in casual attitudes, always surrounded with glamour, using fetishisms like women dressed as sailor, waitress, nurse..
They were depictions of very beautiful women with a sensual and ingenuous air. Even the government of the United States gave pin-up photos and illustrations as a present to their soldiers during the World War II. Pictures of Betty Grable, one of the most popular glamour photography models, were carried to war by hundreds of soldiers. Specifically, Glamour photography from the war era featured models either fully clothed or wearing swimsuits.
The pin-up look is very precise. Pin-up girls are very feminine. Their lips use to be paint in red, their eyelashes are very defined, using false eyelashes in the photographs. The eyebrows are very pronounced, skin colour uses to be very fair, and hair uses to be wavy or softly curled.
The pin-up poses are very suggestive, in casual attitudes, always surrounded with glamour, using fetishisms like women dressed as sailor, waitress, nurse..
1950s - Bettie Page & Marilyn Monroe
No overview of Pinup & Glamour would be complete without mentioning Bettie Page.
She brought Fetish modelling out of the seedy, dark reputation that it had gathered and made it all together more mainstream and recognisable. In 1955 she was the center-fold in Playboy's January issue and won the title "Miss Pin-up Girl of the World”, yet her trademark jet black hair, blunt fringe, porcelain skin and sky-blue eyes are still mimicked and emulated by women today. She has become a living legend, a modern icon, a symbol of beauty and femininity that transcends ordinary standards.
Similar accolade must be given to Marilyn Monroe.
What was it in this particular woman that makes heads turn around till this day? What was it in her looks or character that still inspires the creation of Marilyn Monroe art 50 years after her death? She was a reasonable actress and wasn’t an amazing singer, but till this day, 80 years after she was born as “Norma Jean”, every child still knows her name.
When she died she left behind her nothing but the wondrous shadow of her image that even in the most sexual photographs, including some completely nude, there was still a quality of innocence. Good Marilyn Monroe art will always express this quality.
She has become the ultimate blonde bombshell and perhaps the thing that makes her so amazing is that no one can quite put their finger on why.
When she died she left behind her nothing but the wondrous shadow of her image that even in the most sexual photographs, including some completely nude, there was still a quality of innocence. Good Marilyn Monroe art will always express this quality.
She has become the ultimate blonde bombshell and perhaps the thing that makes her so amazing is that no one can quite put their finger on why.
1960s and 70s - Playboy era
During the 60's and 70's we see glamour became more risqué. Through the likes of Playboy (although actually founded in 1953) we started seeing and hearing the term 'Glamour Model' and again more skin was shown, at times all of it.
The demand had moved on from the unobtainable Hollywood starlet to ‘the girl next door’, with popular shoots depicting wanton nudity in more public places- such as garages, fields and even the office!
1980s and 90s - "Sex Sells"
Now we see Glamour and Pinup playing more of a part in advertising towards the end of the 20th Century, with its influences in fashion, design and products.
Notable Pinups from these decades include Samantha Fox, Joan Jett, Pamela Anderson and Jenny McCarthy.
2000s onwards - 'Modern' Pinups
So what is now Modern Pinup & Glamour?
And where does it keep it’s similarities and where does it differ from its roots?
And does nude = Glamour?
Absolutely not - in fact quite the contrary, the more modern types of artwork tend to predominantly echo their more traditional origins, opting for the subtle tease, carefully placed hands or props and the hint of something further.
Pinup specifically keeps the styling, the soft waves in the hair, bodies and faces are usually in profile, rather than front on. Modern pinup models, with their tasteful yet alluring outfits and an aesthetic that embodies style and sophistication, stand out among the seedier aspects of today’s erotica.
And does nude = Glamour?
Absolutely not - in fact quite the contrary, the more modern types of artwork tend to predominantly echo their more traditional origins, opting for the subtle tease, carefully placed hands or props and the hint of something further.
Pinup specifically keeps the styling, the soft waves in the hair, bodies and faces are usually in profile, rather than front on. Modern pinup models, with their tasteful yet alluring outfits and an aesthetic that embodies style and sophistication, stand out among the seedier aspects of today’s erotica.
As you’ll see from the photos, they share the same aesthetic appeal, which is the ability to appear both sexually alluring and slightly innocent and coquettish.
Similarly Glamour is a very groomed look. Nothing is left to chance and finished to a high level of styling, sophistication and beauty.
Similarly Glamour is a very groomed look. Nothing is left to chance and finished to a high level of styling, sophistication and beauty.
Questions for the Reader..
- What does Pinup & Glamour mean to you?
- Do you have a preference of the time period, or do you enjoy all that the varying decades have to offer?
- Who is your favorite Pinup?
Hope you enjoyed!
References & Further Reading
Glamour History | Pinup Girls | Wikipedia | The Origins of Pinup | Pinup Art
These icons of feminine beauty are still very current and imitate
It is a perfect combination of elegance and erotic
Personally I like anything up into the 1960s, probably because it takes you further away in time when things were different. Also being able to be sexy without showing all your skin is some sort of talent (not saying that nudity is not tasteful, just a different thing).
I don't have a favourite model, if there is one, probably I am lame enough to love Marylin Monroe
Oh and I just thought someone from the 1990s who is missing is definetely … and now I can't recall her name… she was on the H&M dessous posters, which are said to have caused traffic accidents and were stolen a lot of times
I'm trying to think who you mean about the ad campaign, the only one that springs to mind is the Wonderbra "Hello Boys!" one