Artwork

'Pin-up' girl wearing a slip, stockings and suspenders

'Pin-up' girl wearing a slip, stockings and suspenders, by Wilfrid R. Addey, watercolor, 1944
'Pin-up' girl wearing a slip, stockings and suspenders, by Wilfrid R. Addey, watercolor, 1944

'Pin-up' girl wearing a slip, stockings and suspenders is a watercolor work on paper by the Naïve art artist Wilfrid R. Addey. It dates from 1944 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This watercolour depicts a kneeling 'pin-up' girl, turned slightly towards the viewer, dressed in a slip, stockings, and suspenders.

About this work

Overview

This watercolour depicts a kneeling 'pin-up' girl, turned slightly towards the viewer, dressed in a slip, stockings, and suspenders. Created by Wilfrid R. Addey, a commercial artist, the work reflects the aesthetic and style of post-WWII advertising.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is a quintessential 1940s pin-up girl, characterized by thin eyebrows, defined lips, and a willowy figure. The pose and partial undressing (revealing a blue brassiere and corset with black lace under a lifted blue negligee) are suggestive, aligning with the pin-up genre's playful, flirtatious intent.

Technique & Style

Executed in watercolour, the piece showcases Addey's commercial art skills, blending precision with the soft, suggestive qualities of the medium. The style is reminiscent of 1940s illustrations, with clean lines, attention to detail, and a focus on capturing a specific, attractive female archetype.

History & Provenance

Created during the late 1940s or early 1950s, this work is part of Wilfrid R. Addey's extensive output for London advertising firms like Dorland Advertising and Mitchells. The exact provenance is not detailed here, but it represents Addey's contribution to the booming post-war advertising scene.

Context

This piece is set against the backdrop of post-WWII's economic boom and the rise of consumer culture in the late 1940s and 1950s. It reflects the era's advertising aesthetics and the popular female beauty standards of the time.

Legacy

As part of Addey's corpus, the work contributes to the historical record of mid-20th-century commercial art. For deeper insight into Addey's oeuvre, the Victoria and Albert Museum is a recommended resource.

'Pin-up' girl wearing a bikini and brushing her hair
'Pin-up' girl wearing a bikini and brushing her hair, Wilfrid R. Addey

Artist & collection

Artist

Wilfrid R. Addey

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.…

Frequently asked questions

Who painted 'Pin-up' girl wearing a slip, stockings and suspenders?

'Pin-up' girl wearing a slip, stockings and suspenders was painted by Wilfrid R. Addey in 1944.

Where can I see 'Pin-up' girl wearing a slip, stockings and suspenders?

'Pin-up' girl wearing a slip, stockings and suspenders is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is 'Pin-up' girl wearing a slip, stockings and suspenders?

'Pin-up' girl wearing a slip, stockings and suspenders is associated with Naïve art.