Pin Up Art

Mar 19
08:27

2012

Laura Kimsey

Laura Kimsey

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The history of pin up art is the tale of a fringe movement's acceptance into mainstream culture. Today, this art form is well respected and modern artists are once again producing new pieces.

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Currently,Pin Up Art Articles pin up art is a symbol of retro American art. But, it took over a century of development to make a complete transition from its initial standing as an underappreciated art form. The intensifying sexual revolution away from far more conservative cultural norms early in the 20th century was the impetus for broad acceptance of pin up. While the 1890s spawned very early forms of pin up, it wasn't until the flapper community of the 1920s formed that the movement truly started.

 

With the creation of improved printing technology, the demand for professional artists who could interest a wide audience swiftly increased. Pin up art obtained progressively more mainstream exposure with the publication of Esquire magazine in the early 1930s. Pin ups tend to be looked at as females whose physical appeal would induce a person to “pin up” the graphic on a wall. Because Esquire usually incorporated artwork of the sex symbols of the time, the magazine's substantial reach made it possible for many people to display these images. This prevalent recognition of pin up imagery demonstrated the changing cultural norms.

 

By the outset of World War II, pin up art was truly an American phenomenon. Celebrity illustrations were commonplace in soldiers’ barracks, on fighter planes, and in many publications in the United States. Pin up eventually found recognition as a kind of artwork as the illustrations grew to be increasingly sought after.

 

Pin up made the conversion to photography throughout the 50s and 60s, yet started to become significantly more sexualized. This new variety could no longer be regarded as artwork because it strayed from the playful innocence initially intended. As a result, the development of new pin up artwork ceased just about completely up until the internet created a renewed interest. It simultaneously supplied a method to highlight the vintage images designed during the zenith of pin up, while making it possible for modern designers to generate innovative images with a retro attractiveness.

 

Today, this legitimately American art has regained the attention and also respect of the art world. Though numerous modern pin up artists strive for a much more photo-realistic or airbrushed design that is sometimes considered contrary to iconic pin up illustrations, there are many that aim to recapture the innocence and creativity of the retro style. Regardless, pin up art has regained innovation in the current art community and its images will always remain a symbol of Americana.

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