When we hear the term “pin-up” we aren’t exactly thinking, “fine art” now are are we? We’re more likely to think, Page, Petty and Playboy. That would be Betty, George and the guy with the robe and the bunnies. Most of us think the pin-up was a product of the early 20th century and reached its peak in the 40’s and 50’s when it graced the walls of every gas station and army barracks in the world. It might be entertaining, kitschy, nostalgic, but it ain’t art, right?
The impossible female physiques drawn by the great Alberto Vargas are, it turns out, nothing new. In fact, the idea may be a mere 35,000 years old! A recent find in Germany of an ivory carving of a female figure gives us some tantalizing (and titillating?) clues to ancient human sexuality. The prehistoric artist was only concerned with the female form from the thighs up to the shoulders. There’s no head or feet and much attention is paid to the erogenous zones. It appears to have been a pendant or some other kind of ornament. Clearly it focuses on female sexuality. Did it hang around the neck of some prehistoric swinger or was it perceived as a valued piece of art?
That is a question. The ancient Greeks and Romans had no problem with racy images. Art was art to them. But the rise of Christianity changed that. As the balance of power evened out and the church’s influence lessened, back came the nude figure. The wealthy thought nothing of hanging a painted depiction of a nude female in the parlor. It was high art! Once consumerism and cheap reproduction techniques entered the mix, boom, you have the Pin-Up!
So, availability is what separates fine art from the pin-up then? Maybe, but doesn’t the pin-up’s pedigree trace back to the most famous artists in history? What’s the verdict? Take a pencil and a piece of paper and try to replicate the lines of Enoch Bolles, Pearl Frush or Alberto Vargas and see if you find your answer.
Too bad we can’t ask that artist who, 35,000 years ago, saw something beautiful and felt inspired.
Peter Culos is and artist/graphic designer as well as creator of history-geek.com
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