Time Machine: 40’s Pinup Magazine Covers

Time Machine for November 09, 2009

Time Machine is a SexiDesign.com blog series exploring the past, present, and future in sexy designs.

Today’s journey through the design continuum thing-a-ma-jig, is to a far more glamorous time, where the subtleties of being a woman drew the attention of loyal admirers rather than the more explicit nature of today.

The Magazine: Flirt, A Fresh Magazine

Flirt, was a Girlie magazine created in the late 1940’s by Robert Harrision. They consisted of photostories and beautifully painted cover art of seductive pinup models. Ensuring the mass appeal of the magazines, Harrison employed talented artists for the cover art for Flirt and other sister magazines.
Flirt separated itself from competitors by accommodating readers with pinup art reflecting common fetishes amongst men.

The Artist: Peter Driben

Peter Driben was the leading artist for all of Robert Harrison’s girlie magazines. He is most famous for his painting depicting American soldiers raising the flag at Iwo Jima, as well as his long run as a pinup artist. Working in acrylic paint, Driben’s signature cover art drew emphasis to women’s legs, while also working in a range of vibrant colors.

Sexy Details

Pinup art is sexy, yes, but more importantly it is incredibly detailed in anatomy and overall composition prior to the days of photo models. Artists understood the subtle, sexy, details which make up a woman’s body, from the dimples in her lower back, to the innocence of her expression.
Artists also often played with perspective, making the composition even sexier depending on the particular model’s position. In the appreciation of sexy art, take notice of fine details that may normally go unnoticed, but would be certainly missed without.

For instance: the way the light hits the curves of the model’s body, wrinkling of clothing material, overall body position (arching, pointing, etc), shine on material/shoes, and the genuineness of expression.