Artwork
'Pin-up' girl speaking on the telephone with a letter in her hand
'Pin-up' girl speaking on the telephone with a letter in her hand is a watercolor work on paper by the Art Brut artist Wilfrid R. Addey. It dates from 1944 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This watercolour by Wilfrid R.
About this work
Overview
This watercolour by Wilfrid R. Addey depicts a pin-up girl engaged in a telephone conversation while holding a letter. Created in the 1940s, the work showcases the artist's skill in capturing a moment of everyday glamour.
Subject & Meaning
The pin-up girl, dressed in a pink bikini, embodies the emerging fashion trends of the late 1940s. The bikini, which first appeared in Europe in 1947, added to the image's contemporary appeal. The scene conveys a sense of casual intimacy, with the subject holding a letter signed with six kisses.
Technique & Style
Addey's illustration style is characterized by the subject's distinctive features, including thin high eyebrows, long eyelashes, and defined lips. The figure's long face and willowy body are typical of the 1940s pin-up aesthetic, reflecting the artistic conventions of the time.
Context
As a commercial artist working for London firms like Dorland Advertising and Mitchells, Addey's work was influenced by the post-war advertising boom. His illustrations, including this watercolour, represent the range of products and styles that emerged during the late 1940s and 1950s.
Artist & collection
Artist
Wilfrid R. Addey made spare, ink-and-watercolor snapshots of mid-century America. His sheet shows a late-1940s pin-up in a purple bikini with a lit cigarette, quick lines catching the pose and the glow of a club lamp.…
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